LovelyMay

    Stories 93
    Chapters 1,516
    Words 6.7 M
    Comments 0
    Reading 23 days, 5 hours23 d, 5 h
    • Ballad: A Worm Will Turn Cover
      by LovelyMay A Worm Will Turn follows the life of Bernard Jupp, a man who radiates positivity no matter how hard the world tries to bring him down. His laughter is not the kind born of ignorance, but a deliberate response to the heaviness life can bring. Even when faced with personal and financial ruin, Bernard does not waver. There is wisdom in his wit, strength in his silliness, and hope behind every grin he offers. His approach to pain is not avoidance but reframing—it’s about choosing to see value in struggle…
    • Ballad: The Haughty Actor Cover
      by LovelyMay The Haughty Actor begins with the rise of an admired performer named Gibbs, whose fame at Drury Lane feeds a growing pride that soon overshadows his good sense. Applause fills the theatre, and Gibbs basks in admiration, convincing himself that every part beneath a lead role is an insult. When offered a minor position in a new production, he scorns it, choosing ego over opportunity. His refusal marks a shift—not only in his career, but in how others begin to see him. The spotlight that once lifted him now…
    • Ballad: The Two Majors Cover
      by LovelyMay The Two Majors introduces a peculiar bond shared by two stern yet admired military officers whose command style thrives on discipline rather than praise. Major La Guerre and Major Makredi Preper, though gruff in demeanor, are paradoxically beloved by their men for their steadfast standards and unwavering consistency. Neither offers compliments, but both deliver sharp and frequent reprimands, which, surprisingly, becomes a badge of honor for their troops. This dynamic underscores a curious truth about…
    • Ballad:  Emily, John, James, And I. A Derby Legend Cover
      by LovelyMay A Derby Legend unfolds not just as a tale of love and rivalry, but also as a light-hearted reflection on human nature’s quirks when pride, passion, and public spectacle converge. At the heart of the story is Emily Jane, a diligent nursery maid whose heart becomes the prize in a humorous tug-of-war between two polar-opposite suitors. James, dressed in the splendor of the Life Guards, embodies the grandeur of martial charm. Meanwhile, John, a practical and grounded constable, brings with him the steady…
    • Ballad: The Perils Of Invisibility Cover
      by LovelyMay The Perils Of Invisibility serves as both an amusing tale and a subtle reflection on the misguided desire to escape life’s difficulties without addressing their root causes. Old Peter, a man weighed down by both his size and his wife's fiery temper, believes that becoming unseen will free him from domestic tyranny. When the magical offer is presented, he leaps at invisibility, hoping it will grant peace without consequence. But this choice, meant to solve his problems, only reshapes them into more absurd…
    • Ballad:Old Paul And Old Tim Cover
      by LovelyMay Old Paul and Old Tim were two aging men set on capturing the affection of one young woman—Emily. Their rivalry was not marked by charm, wealth, or wit, for they stood level in almost every regard: both were bold, old, and rather indistinct. To Emily, neither man held much more promise than the other; they simply existed as options in a world where choices were slim and expectations were high. She was not particularly swayed by either, and her affections were more influenced by external opinions—namely,…
    • Ballad: The Mystic Selvagee Cover
      by LovelyMay The Mystic Selvagee tells the story of Sir Blennerhassett Portico, whose reverence for the past shapes every aspect of his identity as a naval officer. From a young age, he idolized Lord Rodney, believing no seaman before or since had equaled the Admiral’s valor and brilliance. Determined to honor Rodney not only in memory but in method, Sir Portico patterned his life to match Rodney’s, down to the tilt of his hat and the phrasing of commands. His obsession was not mocked but rather admired, as it came…
    • Ballad: The Cunning Woman Cover
      by LovelyMay The Cunning Woman begins by painting a life that seems almost enchanted. Bill and Jane, residents of a quiet Arcadian village, share a love that’s both deep and delightfully simple. They are untouched by the turbulence of broader society—stock market fluctuations, political strife, or aristocratic intrigues have no place in their sunlit fields. Bill’s strength lies in the soil, in the honest labor of the land, while Jane finds joy among the flowers she tends. Their love, set to song and laughter,…
    • Ballad: Phrenology Cover
      by LovelyMay Phrenology appears in this ballad not as a mere scientific curiosity, but as the pivot around which justice, or the lack of it, hilariously turns. The storyline introduces Sir Herbert, who is clearly aggrieved after a physical assault. He expects the machinery of law to respond swiftly and firmly, as any wronged gentleman would. However, the policeman’s surprising devotion to cranial analysis swiftly alters the path of justice. His belief that a man's skull shape can override eyewitness testimony exposes…
    • Ballad: The Fairy Curate Cover
      by LovelyMay The Fairy Curate begins with a magical union that defies societal expectations—a fairy woman of gossamer grace marrying a practical attorney from Ealing. Their marriage, though kept discreet from the outside world, thrives in its unusual intimacy, blending the mystical with the mundane. When their son Georgie is born, he inherits from both worlds: the sensibility of his human father and the quiet brilliance of his fairy mother. As he grows, it becomes clear that he carries something special—an…
    Note