[ gods. centuries. sometimes the magnitude of time weighs on her, sometimes she's successful in putting it away, like a book she shouldn't be reading hidden under her bed. ]
Your Majesty,
You are so very kind and thoughtful. It makes me more eager than ever to reach King Nacogdoches' autobiography, if even you feel he is the paragon of virtue. I know my family will appreciate the gestures - and yes, particularly my father, who enjoys his drink even more now that he only has to worry about my brother's marital prospects.
[ she wants to ask if he cares whether they have girls or boys, if he has an idea of how many he wants, but that's neither here nor there for now. ]
There were lots of dogs and cats back home, in Highgarden, because there was much more freedom there, in both space and manners. I wish I could show you how beautiful it is, although I'm sure Monsieur De Philippe has given you a full report. Arakhis reminds me so much of our friendliest pups.
I only fear that if I keep him from you for too long, the monotony of your days will increase, as all you will see are solemn faces and the tops of bowed heads. You are a king, but you are more than that as well. However, you are correct to assume that I have never experienced a winter like Ornefluer's. If you truly don't mind missing his company during the nights, I would like to have him to keep me warm.
But I am resolute to embrace the cold, especially as our meetings will undoubtedly bring me warmth as well.
I know the difficulty of leaving home, but someday you will bask in the beauty of Highgarden again. In the meantime, I commend you for your resilience and skill. The culture and customs of Ornefluer differ from those of Westeros, yet you have adapted swiftly. On behalf of my people, please accept my gratitude for your diligence and thoughtfulness in learning.
All I see are solemn faces and bowed heads until I kneel to their level and shake them from their deference to remind them that I am a man. Please do not suppose that their faces are all like General Gaboriault's or that their heads are all like Monsieur Reubens's. Once you know them, the charm and affability in their expressions are easier to recognize.
Anyway, the years have been fortifying enough that I can bear any solitude with alacrity.
As will many of the joys that come with the change in weather. A feeling of reflection steeps into the people this time of year. It's a time to study past mistakes, a time to reminisce about the triumphs, and a time to hope for better in the coming year. I hope you find warmth in your thoughts.
If I'm to bask in the beauty of Highgarden again, my only wish is that you'd be with me. At the very least, I want to see the look on your face when you get to taste a ripe fire peach for the first time.
The first time we spoke, you reminded me that my duty is to the people. In this, we are in total agreement and I am grateful that you are giving me the opportunity to learn. If ever you feel as though my efforts are lacking, or if I have committed some grave oversight, please do tell me.
I do have a question, if you don't mind. There are many nuances of formality in the etiquette of the court, but how important are titles for every day conversation? For instance, I can't help but notice that you only sign off with the first letter of your name, instead of your full title, and you write my name. In Westeros, I have only ever been addressed by a title followed by my name, if that. And if that is the expectation for a lady, you can imagine how much more important it is to address the king properly.
Forgive me if this is a silly question, but I believe it is these tiny details that will keep me apart.
I hope you find warmth in your thoughts as well. And if, for any reason, you find it difficult to do so, please look at this love letter that Arakhis wrote to you today, as a forlorn son kept apart from his father.
Yours, Margaery.
[ inside the folded letter is a smaller slip of paper, where a paw print is haphazardly created from a blot of ink. ]
My full title would require a full page. It is a better employment of paper, ink, and time if I shorten it to the first letter.
I beg your pardon if I broached any rule of civility. I am ignorant of the customs of Westeros. Although that is no excuse as you have been so diligent in learning this country's customs; yet I have made no attempt to learn yours. Is it common there for a husband and wife to address each other by their titles even in private?
Please enlighten me as to the proper way to address you. My concern lays with respect and understanding rather than titles so you may address me however you please.
๐
( with a muffled smile, constantin places the letter from arakhis in his frayed and well-worn copy of king nacogdoches's autobiography. )
Please don't apologize, as there is nothing to forgive. We are not living in Westeros and it only makes sense that I adapt to your customs, rather than the other way around.
I can't speak for other marriages, other than that of my parents' and the one I was expected to have. My parents called each other by name, but in King's Landing, where there are so many more rules, I would've been expected to call the king "Your Grace" until explicitly told that such formality isn't necessary.
I like it when you call me by my name, so please continue to do so. It lends a warmth that I quite like. It may also startle you to know this, but no one outside my family has called me by my name alone either, so it feels friendlier.
[ all of his letters are saved in a box that she's brought from home, but this one is read and reread several times, her expressions a mix of wistful, touched, and grateful. his kindness is one that feels strange for how genuine it is, although she knows that's more of a testament to her home than anything.
there is no response only because she can only say thank you so many times before the words lose their meaning; the best she can do is show that his respect and faith are not misplaced. ]
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no subject
Your Majesty,
You are so very kind and thoughtful. It makes me more eager than ever to reach King Nacogdoches' autobiography, if even you feel he is the paragon of virtue. I know my family will appreciate the gestures - and yes, particularly my father, who enjoys his drink even more now that he only has to worry about my brother's marital prospects.
[ she wants to ask if he cares whether they have girls or boys, if he has an idea of how many he wants, but that's neither here nor there for now. ]
There were lots of dogs and cats back home, in Highgarden, because there was much more freedom there, in both space and manners. I wish I could show you how beautiful it is, although I'm sure Monsieur De Philippe has given you a full report. Arakhis reminds me so much of our friendliest pups.
I only fear that if I keep him from you for too long, the monotony of your days will increase, as all you will see are solemn faces and the tops of bowed heads. You are a king, but you are more than that as well. However, you are correct to assume that I have never experienced a winter like Ornefluer's. If you truly don't mind missing his company during the nights, I would like to have him to keep me warm.
But I am resolute to embrace the cold, especially as our meetings will undoubtedly bring me warmth as well.
Yours,
Margaery.
no subject
I know the difficulty of leaving home, but someday you will bask in the beauty of Highgarden again. In the meantime, I commend you for your resilience and skill. The culture and customs of Ornefluer differ from those of Westeros, yet you have adapted swiftly. On behalf of my people, please accept my gratitude for your diligence and thoughtfulness in learning.
All I see are solemn faces and bowed heads until I kneel to their level and shake them from their deference to remind them that I am a man. Please do not suppose that their faces are all like General Gaboriault's or that their heads are all like Monsieur Reubens's. Once you know them, the charm and affability in their expressions are easier to recognize.
Anyway, the years have been fortifying enough that I can bear any solitude with alacrity.
As will many of the joys that come with the change in weather. A feeling of reflection steeps into the people this time of year. It's a time to study past mistakes, a time to reminisce about the triumphs, and a time to hope for better in the coming year. I hope you find warmth in your thoughts.
๐
no subject
If I'm to bask in the beauty of Highgarden again, my only wish is that you'd be with me. At the very least, I want to see the look on your face when you get to taste a ripe fire peach for the first time.
The first time we spoke, you reminded me that my duty is to the people. In this, we are in total agreement and I am grateful that you are giving me the opportunity to learn. If ever you feel as though my efforts are lacking, or if I have committed some grave oversight, please do tell me.
I do have a question, if you don't mind. There are many nuances of formality in the etiquette of the court, but how important are titles for every day conversation? For instance, I can't help but notice that you only sign off with the first letter of your name, instead of your full title, and you write my name. In Westeros, I have only ever been addressed by a title followed by my name, if that. And if that is the expectation for a lady, you can imagine how much more important it is to address the king properly.
Forgive me if this is a silly question, but I believe it is these tiny details that will keep me apart.
I hope you find warmth in your thoughts as well. And if, for any reason, you find it difficult to do so, please look at this love letter that Arakhis wrote to you today, as a forlorn son kept apart from his father.
Yours,
Margaery.
[ inside the folded letter is a smaller slip of paper, where a paw print is haphazardly created from a blot of ink. ]
no subject
I beg your pardon if I broached any rule of civility. I am ignorant of the customs of Westeros. Although that is no excuse as you have been so diligent in learning this country's customs; yet I have made no attempt to learn yours. Is it common there for a husband and wife to address each other by their titles even in private?
Please enlighten me as to the proper way to address you. My concern lays with respect and understanding rather than titles so you may address me however you please.
๐
( with a muffled smile, constantin places the letter from arakhis in his frayed and well-worn copy of king nacogdoches's autobiography. )
no subject
Please don't apologize, as there is nothing to forgive. We are not living in Westeros and it only makes sense that I adapt to your customs, rather than the other way around.
I can't speak for other marriages, other than that of my parents' and the one I was expected to have. My parents called each other by name, but in King's Landing, where there are so many more rules, I would've been expected to call the king "Your Grace" until explicitly told that such formality isn't necessary.
I like it when you call me by my name, so please continue to do so. It lends a warmth that I quite like. It may also startle you to know this, but no one outside my family has called me by my name alone either, so it feels friendlier.
Yours,
Margaery.
no subject
Yes, we are not living in Westeros, but the land still lives in you. Pray, do not forget your home for this one.
No such formality is necessary here. If you are comfortable with first names, then that is how we shall address each other as such.
Margaery, I hope others will soon call you by your first name as well. I hope you are happy. I hope
( next page, )
Though you are far from home and family, find and create a home and family of your own here. This is all yours too.
๐
๐ ๐ฅบโค๏ธ
there is no response only because she can only say thank you so many times before the words lose their meaning; the best she can do is show that his respect and faith are not misplaced. ]