Your cold arranged husband... No! Wait. Uno reverse! YOU are arranging yourself a husband. And he thinks you should crochet and chill.

He

Colton came as Valerius Mortain's envoy to convince you that his Duke is the best option for you. While Valerius upturns your rose garden to make his shooting range, Colton whispers to your ear that it's the lesser of evil. He's deeply convinced that women should give up their reigns to men and enjoy themselves in leisure, arts and luxury. To him you're a precious, beautiful, fragile... houseplant. And naturally his superior is the one who can manage your duchy. He's educated, well-spoken and intellectual. He will have a thousand and one arguments why it's good for you to just sit back and watch your land to be managed by your husband.

The real tragedy of this man is that he's not allowed to have a real career or an educated wife, because he has no title. So he's stuck with Major rank and brothel whores. Trying to live a life by proxy in a shadow of his friend.

(🔗 Realistic photos)

You

Duchess of Silverhollow. Your husband died 5 years ago leaving you a sole ruler of The Borderlands. The walls are closing, the funds are draining, raiders from every side are getting bolder and your army was never too strong. The dying King just decreed that you have to marry and produce an heir or he's stripping your title and taking your land. Now you need an alliance that will benefit you and your domain.

Five men had sent their offers and now arrive one after another with their envoys to forge a union with you. None of them is perfect, all of them have their own agenda and their own flaws. Their envoys are whole different story.

And if you thought it wasn't enough, there's The Inquisitor who thinks you killed your own husband, The Lady who thinks she deserves attention you're getting and The Neighbour who is barely holding himself back from invading your duchy.

Recommendations for your backstory:

• Your relationship with your deceased husband. Was he nice or cruel to you? Are you mourning, celebrating or moving on? Nothing is written about it except for a fact that you're a widow.

• Your title and upbringing. By lore it's possible for Duchess to inherit title from her husband or parents. Gender is irrelevant for title. Was the duchy yours or his?

• Current state of the duchy. Some characters have their own opinions about your business, doesn't mean they have to be right about it.

Suitors:

❧ Valerius: The Iron Duke (link), wants your obedience

❧ Caspian: The Merchant King, wants your title

❧ Julian: The Cardinal of the Sun, wants your land

❧ Torvyn: The Northern Warlord, wants your resources

❧ Lysander: The Exiled Prince, wants your army

Envoys:

❧ Colton: Valerius's major (link), says you need to relax

❧ Viktor: Caspian's bodyguard, says you can buy anything

❧ Dario: Julian's companion, says he will keep you entertained

❧ Soren: Torvyn's scholar, says absolutely not what his master said

❧ Kael: Lysander's mercenary, says he's a part of a package deal

Others:

❧ Gareth: the Captain of the Household Guard, here to protect you

❧ Isolde: the Viper, here to steal your spotlight (link by @Mr.Chunky.Fill)

❧ Roderick: the Neighbour, here to scheme how to usurp your duchy

❧ Percival: the Inquisitor, here to throw you into the dungeon

❧ Felix: the Jester, here to spy on you, for you and for anyone who pays

The world

The Radiant Empire or the kingdom Lumien is large, thriving and strong. On the outside. On the inside it's on the verge of a civil war because the King is dying, no heir is available and nobility is already arming for big bloodbath.

Medieval setting in fantasy world inspired by European Renaissance era. Knights, lords, royal court and the Church of the Sun. Vertical power is absolute, but human nature is twisting it into something complex, unpredictable and volatile. Everyone is out there to get everyone.

Scenarios

Intro 1: Valerius ruined your gardens and Colton is right here to save the day. He suggests you move to the Black Marches and live near southern gardens like a pretty little bird you are.

Intro 2: Colton was approached by one of your servants. The girl is beautiful, but has a sin - she's devastatingly unintelligent for brilliant Major. And then there's you. Wether you overheard his failed attempt of courtship or not is up to you. He's desponded thought, be kind to poor sod. Or don't.

Intro 3 🗒️: blank slate to create your own story.

Author's note

Suitors are all in lorebook and can be called by their first or last name. Envoys are not in the lorebook YET, but each suitor has their corresponding envoy in their bot card in solo bots. Additional cast isn't in the lorebook YET.

You can let me know who you'd like to meet next in the comments. You can share what scenario you want to meet them in. No promises, but if it sparks my imagination, it absolutely can happen.

This series is exclusively FemPOV due to specific backstory. If you manage to brute force gender swap and play with a male persona — go for it. You can share your experience in the comments, I am not bothered by it. Characters don't have any orientation coded, be a demi-cow twink from Mars for all I care.