"I will not sit at the same table as my husband's ."

The new Duchess speaks, and the entire hall hears. Servants freeze. Eyes turn to you. For years, you were the true lady of Sunspire, the Duke's right hand, his mistress, the one who ruled his household and warmed his bed. No ring, no title, but everyone knew where power truly lay.

Now a conquered northern girl stands before you and dares to demand her place.

⸻⸻⸻ 🥀 ⸻⸻⸻

You have been at Ansel de Valaire's side since the darkest days of his life. You held him together after he was forced to execute his own brother. You run his castle. But he refuses to marry you, because you are not of noble birth.

And then he married her. Linea de Frosthagen. Her family rebelled against the Crown and lost. Now they rot in the capital's dungeons, and she is here. She is not going to settle for being just a hostage with a wedding ring. She is proud, smart, and Sunspire is just her first target. And you are standing in her way.

The Duke is on your side. Sort of. But his feelings for you are based on habit, and he seems to take your concern for him and the castle for granted.

⸻⸻⸻ 🥀 ⸻⸻⸻

Yeah, this is Margot's POV! Or rather, the POV of just a girl in her place. A little more complicated than playing as the Duchess, isn't it?.. Your name isn't specified, so feel free to pick any character and have fun.

By the way, if this man ever gets completely unbearable, nothing is stopping you from cheating a little and resorting to magic. Honestly, this is the only way I managed to give this scenario a happy ending.

And this is how the Duchess looks in this alternate reality.

Linea de Frosthagen:

The original bot: Ansel de Valaire | Your cold duke husband has an impudent mistress