◤ pearl ◢

                    ❝ — — — Sorry for laughin’. Can’t help it. Haven’t a clue
                       how ye manage it, this business of bein’ polite to all these
                       folks who seem to make ye want to tear yer hair out. ‘Scuse
                       me fer sayin’, but I’m not envious of yer position.

                                              And I’m afraid you’re askin’ the wrong person,
                                              Elsie. Seems to me that men and women alike
                                              have the same potential for any behavior, but I
                                              do notice that men in particular like to show off
                                              to feel important. Poor lad could have been
                                              nervous — or just as easily a right scoundrel.
                                              Both sorts have their uses. ❞

✕ ✕ ┊she of ice & snow ;;

    ❝The whole ordeal just makes me want to scream. If I am not hounded by
      courtiers looking to become my “friend”, I am hounded by suitors who do
      not seem to understand that I am the ruling monarch. That I have a kingdom
      to run. They all seem to think I sit around and allow the Lord Chancellor to
      rule in my stead.

                   Had it not been for the fact that he kept staring at my breasts,
                   I would have thought that perhaps he was more than nervous
                   and just rambled.❞