Khalid is in the doghouse tonight.

I have invited Hilda and Dorothea to visit us, @kvonriegan.bsky.social. 😇

No, I suppose it’s my fault for marrying a king. …-But you should come visit more. Maybe he’ll be more inclined to stop slacking off if I’m not the only one disappointed in him.

You can blame your old house leader. Why did I ever fall for a man like that… [Politics are not Ingrid’s thing. She rather fight with weapons than words.]

//I haven’t made you all suffer the Claudgrid timeline enough :-)

I’m not cut out for being anyone’s queen. [We love the crippling self doubt hours.]

Politics. Unfortunately.

@sonofgautier.bsky.social [Points at a chair, shaving kit in hand.] Sit.

I was hoping for ‘beauty is as powerful as my spear,’ not ‘cute,’ but I leave myself in your expert care all the same. Shopping and tea? And when will you visit Almyra? You have to meet your niece.

Fair enough. Anyway, I have an important meeting to attend next week and since it’s my first court appearance since Aliah was born…-and that means I need a little help in my wardrobe department. We both know I only care about comfort, not if something is my shade.

What if your second best friend was about to commit a horrible mistake as well, and you needed to be present to avert it as well?

Or you could leave with me.

To be clear I am referring to negative energy here, and not insulting him.

By…-eating?

Sylvain, just—please, let him be. You’re unharmed, and he’s not worth the energy.

I am un-horsehouse-ing myself after this.

😇

“No, now.”

Stop being dramatic!

I didn’t ask for nor expect ghosts!

“Try.”

Mmm, and you look like you’re sleep deprived.

“Well, why don’t you try?”

☺️

Well, I am in the doghouse.

[Straw in hair, slept perfectly in the stables.]

Why is the house a mess…?

Oh that’s it. Hubert von Vestra. Hubert von Vestra. Hubert von Vestra.

Do I…-chant it three times in a dark mirror? Is that how you summon Hubert?

It will all occur within the Kingdom borders, if that is your demand.

I did not think so many people would be so excited to do this.

He is attempting to abandon his wife and three children, divorce me, and forget why and when he proposed to me, all over the fact our daughters have learned he knows how to play the pianoforte, which is the most asinine reason to do any of that.

Your Imperial Majesty, may I borrow your loyal servant for a small bit of justified murder, should Vestra deign to agree to assist me?

He’s dead. :-)

One more word from him and I’ll become a widow. ☺️

[A soft laugh.] You’re not as likely to cut someone’s arm off at the meeting table, is what I mean.

No, you look scary but anyone who knows you knows you’re no longer that threatening. Felix is the more present danger.

Speaking of musical talent, tell your mother the twins are barely two and too young to start learning to play an instrument. @sonofgautier.bsky.social

I thought it was…-what is it they say? Scary dog privilege?

Actually, I think I’d pay to see Sylvain in an operetta. That surely would be humbling for him to have to display his musical talents.

I think he might be suited for the stage over politics some days…

When is he not dramatic?

//Ingrid is babysitting as I am babysitting: basically keeping grown ass adults from fighting God I love working at a hospital and being the department’s impartial bastion because then I learn ALL the tea

“SYLVAIN!”

I refused to consider you dead, that’s why.