annanicole__

Somewhere, Ipera Amelya, the mother of the twins smiled with quiet pride. “Sixteen years… sixteen long, lonely years,” she whispered. “They’ve grown into such strong, handsome men. Alexandre would be so proud.” Her hand lifted slowly into the air, tracing the outline of an invisible face, as if she could summon the memory of him into being just by remembering.

⥼──────⥽THE VISCOUNTESS’ FAREWELL⥼──────⥽ ISSUED BY, THE VISCOUNTESS OF RETHEL ❀ 11th Of Godrey’s Triumph IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2075, 648 AA ⥼──────⥽ ❀ ⥼──────⥽ WITH A FULL HEART, I PEN THIS MESSAGE. After a lifetime of service, devotion, and unwavering duty to our lands and our people, I now find myself at the end of my years, reflecting upon the path that has brought us to this moment. I have borne witness to the rise of our house through ages of change, seeing the House of Enswerp grow from a County within the Holy Regency, to a County within the Archduchy of Alba, to a Baronet within the Empire, then to a Barony under Blackvale, and now to the standing of a Viscounty. Through each era, it has been my privilege to lead, to guide, and to endure alongside you all. For eighty-one years, I have carried the mantle of leadership over the House of Enswerp. Yet as I near my ninety-eighth year, I feel the gentle call to lay down this burden of rule—not in sorrow, but in peace. I wish now to spend the remainder of my days in rest, surrounded by the warmth of my family, the laughter of friends, and the quiet comforts long set aside in service to duty. THUS, WITH GREAT PRIDE AND UNWAVERING FAITH, I ANNOUNCE MY STEPPING DOWN AS VISCOUNTESS OF RETHEL. The torch of leadership must pass forward, and I can think of none more worthy to bear it than my grandson, LORD FLORIAN MALORY MAIRI ENSWERP. By my word and with my full blessing, I do hereby pass the title, duties, and authority of the Viscounty of Rethel to him. From this day forth, let him be known as VISCOUNT FLORIAN MALORY MAIRI ENSWERP. MAY GOD WATCH OVER RETHEL, bless its new Viscount, and grant me peace in the years I now embrace beyond the seat of rule. With love, with gratitude, and with a heart finally at rest, I take my leave of the leader and remain ever yours. ⥼────────────────⥽ ❀ ⥼────────────────⥽ THE RIGHT HONORABLE, DAME LORELEI MAIRI ALSTION-ENSWERP Viscountess Emeritus of Rethel, Lady of Wickwald, Lady of Clairmont Castle, Lady of Cliffhaven Hall, Lady of Clementhurst Castle, Matriarch of Enswerp

“God save the Emperor and the Empress. God save us all.” Ipera Amelya lowered herself to her knees, lighting the candles one by one. “God save us all…”

“God save his soul,” Lorelei said as she lit a candle in memory of the prince.

Lady Ipera had no clear understanding of what was unfolding around her. To her, it felt as though she had lost far more than any soul ought to bear her father, taken by violence; her mother, claimed by her own despair; her sisters, her husband, and with them, the shape of her future. And yet, in all that grief, there was but one person she believed could truly understand the weight of such loss—her dearest, and perhaps only, friend: Valentina. At last, Ipera settled at her dust-laden desk. With a steadying breath, she opened her worn book of poems and let the ink flow once more. This time, her words would not remain hidden. This time, they would be sent to Valentina alone.

@Werew0lf shut up

Finally

Ipera smiled and sent for a servant. “Please prepare a blanket for the new prince, and a basket for Princess Valentina to aid in her recovery.” She then reached down and lifted her son gently from his crib.

Thank god away with you

We all survived the 2026 LOTC Protest!

⥼──────⥽ Two Hearts, One Bloodline ⥼──────⥽ Penned by Her Ladyship, Ipera Amelya 13th of Dragon’s Roar 637AA, 2064 Ipera remained within the walls of Château Constantia, confined to her chamber by her sister Vivienne’s insistence—mostly for Ipera’s own good. Within the marbled halls, the soft sound of her humming drifted through the corridors like a quiet, persistent echo, a reminder of the life she carried. A knock sounded at her door. “Ipera, it’s time for you to go outside,” Vivienne called gently, pushing the door open. “Alexandre wrote to me. He asked that you take a walk through the garden and breathe some fresh air. Wouldn’t that be nice, Ipera?” She held out her hand, inviting her sister to take it. “Come. The breeze is said to be pleasant today.” Ipera rose slowly and took Vivienne’s hand. As she stood, her other hand instinctively moved to her stomach, and a small gasp escaped her lips. “Alexandre wrote to you?” she whispered. “Did he say when he will return from the North?” Her voice trembled as she struggled to steady her breath. “It is too soon, Vivienne… it cannot be. O, be still, my heart,” she whispered. “For thou will not wilt.” Vivienne’s face softened with concern as she led Ipera through the quiet halls, out into the open garden. The air was cool and crisp, the breeze gently brushing against their skin. For a moment, Ipera’s eyes closed, and she allowed herself to breathe, as if the wind could carry away her dread. But the calm did not last. Without warning, Ipera’s body shuddered and her face drained of color. Vivienne caught her, steadying her as panic rose in the air like a storm. “Physicians!” Vivienne called, her voice sharp and urgent. “Now!” Within moments, the château’s physicians arrived, their footsteps echoing in the garden’s stillness. They guided Ipera back inside, and the room became a flurry of quiet commands and hurried movement. The humming that had once floated through the halls was replaced by the tense silence of anticipation. The labor came swiftly. It was a difficult birth, but the physicians worked tirelessly, and after a long, trying effort, Ipera gave birth to two healthy twin boys. Both mother and sons were stable and well. As the first cries filled the room, Vivienne’s shoulders sagged with relief, tears finally spilling down her cheeks. Ipera, exhausted and pale, looked down at her sons with a love so fierce it seemed to shine through her fatigue. The House of Devereux is proud to announce the arrival of two healthy twin boys. The elder twin is named Venance Matthias, so called in honor of his late father, Alexandre Matthias, whose hair and eyes the child inherited. The younger twin is named Elliot Florent, so called in honor of Florian Enswerp, Ipera’s cousin, from whom he took the name Florent, and bearing his mother’s eyes and hair. A private baptism would be held at the estate, and the family would celebrate in quiet, grateful joy—each heartbeat a reminder that, despite the fear and uncertainty, life had prevailed. Her Ladyship, Ipera Amelya Devereux Lady of Rethel, Lady of Deveruex, Master of Imperial Regalia, The Widow

⥼──────⥽A Celebration of Seven Decades⥼──────⥽ ISSUED BY, THE BARONESS OF RETHEL ❀ 7th Of Sun’s Smile IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 2064, 637 AA ⥼──────⥽ ❀ ⥼──────⥽ THE BARONY OF RETHEL CORDIALLY INVITES ALL TO A GRAND CELEBRATION WITHIN THE HALLS OF CLAIRMONT CASTLE It is with great honour that the THE BARONY OF RETHEL announces a GRAND BALL to be held within the halls of CLAIRMONT CASTLE, in celebrating seventy years of BARONESS LORELEI ALSTION ENSWERPS leadership of the house of Enswerp, of which she has served forty as the Baroness of Rethel, much of her eighty five years of life dedicated to leadership of house and barony alike. This ball is to be held within AMELYA'S HALL, ballroom within Clairmont Castle. The evening shall be decorated with hues of gold and blue, honouring House Enswerps own colours At the culmination of this joyous evening, an announcement shall be made jointly by the Baroness herself and the Principality of Blackvale. ⥼────────────────⥽ ❀ ⥼────────────────⥽ THE RIGHT HONORABLE, DAME LORELEI MAIRI ALSTION-ENSWERP Baroness of Rethel, Lady of Wickwald, Lady of Clairmont Castle