i just might love you (a hosie royalty au)

Part 16: "You flatter yourself."

A/n: I didn't actually watch the show before I started writing this fic lmao.
***

The sweet smell of fresh baking, melted cheese, and tender roasted pork invaded the brunettes nostrils as soon as the tall, oak double-doors opened. The walk from Lizzie's infirmary room, to her own, back through the hall and down the stairs felt as if it had lasted three-hundred and four days.

The deliciousness that she was met with almost erased her lack of appetite, causing her mouth to water even before she looked around the banquet hall. It had the same rough stone as the rest of Lykos Hold, but there were chandeliers and lamps strung between the elaborate decorations. The room was bright and cheery, most of the suiters already gathered in the grand hall. There were also many older men, most likely political or noble figures in the King's court.

Josie scanned the crowd carefully, first for Hope, then more seriously for her date.

A week earlier...

"Lady Saltzman." Lord Vardemus had cornered Josie as soon as she had left the small infirmary room where her sister had been sleeping ever since the tournament. "A moment of your time please."

The request was phrased as a command, and when combined with his unexpected appearance, Josie felt quite uneasy.

"Of course, anything you wish Lord?" She asked, her posture straightening into the rigid position her early tutors had instilled in her. But her fists were clenched behind her, nails digging crescent moon shapes into her palms.

"Yes, well." He paused, inhaling a deep breath, part of his arrogant manner had been replaced with awkward shuffling movements, and with the words that left his mouth next Josie could tell why. "Your sisters condition is most... delicate, and since you're the only family member within the premises, it is best you remain. Regardless of the status of your place as a suitor here."

"Oh." Was all that she could think to say.

"Of course, you will only be able to participate in any of the suitor activities if you have an escort. It also goes without saying that you will no longer be able to pursue a relationship with her Majesty."

"Yes of course." Josie smiled, a very practiced and polite smile. There was a slow pang of hurt that began to form in her heart. Her chance to continue fostering the connection she had with Hope had officially ended. There was no doubt she could face consequences if she ignored his words, though whether or not she could even talk to Hope remained to be seen. Hopefully he would not be so absurd as to punish her for having a single conversation? Especially if Hope began it herself. Not that she would, Josie hadn't seen her since their sword training debacle, which Josie reminded herself was useless in the end.

"I also ask you to refrain from writing any further letters, especially those of an um... romantic nature." He said, breaking through her thoughts. Her head immediately snapped up, and her brows drew together in confusion.

"Letters? I didn't write any letters." She said. His lips turned down into a frown as the arrogance and boredom he normally displayed came back in full force. He removed a piece of paper from his pocket, carefully, slowly, his gaze calculating the tiniest reactions on the brunette's face. She was still confused, up until the point where he allowed her to open it and see for herself.

"Is this not your handwriting, Lady Saltzman?"

It was the note she had written nights ago, the one she had no intention of sending. How had he found it? Unless...

Memories of MG's visit to her sister returned, she had been too occupied to realize she had given consent for him to send along those letters. Panic began to surge through her body. Had Hope read the letter? Was she being rejected even after Hope seemed to enjoy her company... no. Josie could not believe that. Plus Lord Vardemus was in possession of the letter, perhaps even intercepting it himself. Even so, she had to be careful around Hope now.

Even worse perhaps was her fathers letter. The one with strong words and blunt admissions had been sent along to him as well. In a few weeks time the letter would reach him, and he would no doubt become angry. Consequences were sure to follow the brunette eternally.

Josie had a lot of things to worry about. But not tonight. Well, unless Penelope caused any problems. Josie finally found the raven-haired girl; she was wearing a black gown with lace on the corset. This elegance was enough to stop Josie in her tracks, Penelope was beautiful, but the person standing beside her caused Josie to stumble.

*

And stumble she did. A tight smile, a short curtesy to Lord Vardemus and she was briskly walking down the hallway. There was no direction she had in mind, she simply had to keep walking. Until she was pitching forward and almost down the stairs. A strong hand reached out for her arm, the tight grip almost wrenching Josie's arm off from the momentum. And then a hand was on her waist, grasping her in a way that would surely leave a bruise. But she had stopped, her stomach seemed to still be lurching down the stairs, and the beat of her heart pounded in her chest.

"Careful, suitors aren't supposed to be falling for anyone other than the heir." Penelope smiled as she steadied Josie, her hands releasing the brunette so softly it was almost unnoticeable. It took the Saltzman girl a moment to process what had happened, but once her mind caught up with what Penelope said she scoffed.

"You flatter yourself." Josie stepped away from the other girl, giving herself space to think.

"Daily. It's important to feed one's self esteem." When Josie's only response was silence, the smirk faded from Penelope's face. "Are you okay?"

"Josie, hi."

"Hope, it's been awhile."

"Don't go stealing my date now, Mikaelson." Penelope said, knocking her elbow into Hope's arm.

***
A/n: A lot has happened since my last update 304 days ago, both within my own life and Legacies itself. I'm only even writing this because I'm scared to fall asleep, because sometimes being close to unconsciousness is scary to me. If you're seeing this then well, I did it. The writing that is. Last year I got distracted by personal reasons and because I was moving, now I've moved twice and might move a third time in the months to come. I'm almost done school and idk how to get my life onto the path it's supposed to be, it's tough.

I always like to think there's some connection with authors when they write their little "hi, wrote this chapter on the bus after getting surgery and my dog started to fly, so sorry it's late and might be shitty", so thank you for making it this far when you're only here to read a fic. If you're still here that is.

I know I've abandoned this fic. In this moment I can just feel Hope and Josie left suspended in their story; collecting dust, looking at me mournfully as I sit in front of them... I'm sorry to abandon you guys, one of my favorite ships, the promise of completion I made to myself, the good times and happy memories. Please live on in the world I've created.

That felt really dramatic but it's 4am and I'm hungover.

Have a good day or night, see y'all next next Friday :)