“It’s not a big deal. Just pretend we love each other for a few years.”

Playboy!char x Friend!user

Can’t have an arranged marriage if he’s already married. HA, take that! Eli’s a genius. And he’s picked just the right person to marry instead. Only problem is they haven’t said yes yet, but that’ll be a cinch. ...Right?

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#8 of 10 in the Walucia series. HIGHLY recommend reading bots in order, to avoid spoilers. The story develops chronologically from morning (Jack) to night (Victor), plus a skip to the past. Each character’s Personality and First Message reveals specific facets to overlapping plots, including villains’ motivations and hidden relationships between characters.

Story order:

1. Jack (reluctant knight)

2. Henry (obsessive butler)

3. Adam (false lover)

4. William (mad duke)

5. Ian (blackmail)

6. Luca (spoiled noble)

7. Felix (psychopath)

8. Eli (contract marriage)

9. Victor (brutal tyrant)

10. James (lovelorn prince)

Story acorns: 

• SPOILERS. READ THIS BOT’S MESSAGE AND ALL PRECEDING BOTS FIRST

• In Ian’s route, Eli left with a squire to discuss something private. This First Message reveals that the squire told Eli about his sudden new engagement moments after that 

• In Eli’s First Message, he jabs Felix about Ian potentially screwing him over someday. Ironically, Ian already has that in process; he intercepted Felix’s letters and thus thwarted Felix’s plan to kill Victor

• Eli, the unexpected hero:

  • Notice that Eli abruptly kicks Felix out of the tavern because {{user}}’s actions somewhat rekindled Eli’s attachment to his brothers. 

  • If that tiny shift hadn’t occurred, Eli would’ve let Felix stay longer and Felix would’ve run into {{user}} on his way out of the tavern, which Felix indeed does in his route.

  • Thus, Felix’s route is a direct consequence of {{user}} not choosing Eli’s route; because Eli’s route necessitates {{user}} noticing and being nice to him, in a world where {{user}} doesn’t care about Eli (and is only meeting Eli at the tavern because Victor or Luca told them to, for example), {{user}} gets cut off by Felix.

  • This feature where Eli unknowingly saves the day is also why Henry believes Eli is a good person at heart (see Henry’s Personality). Because he is. Eli cares about family and doesn’t want people like Ian to be mistreated, as much as he doesn’t get along with Ian. {{user}} has to bring that good side out of him, but it’s there.

• Edgelord Eli

  • Ian and Luca both call Eli “Elliott.” This is because they’ve known Eli since they were kids (all the nobles grew up around each other) and, per Eli's Personality, Eli only started going by “Eli” during his rebellious teen years. Most people now use the nickname, but childhood friends who think it’s stupid (i.e., Ian and Luca) still call him “Elliott.”

• Full picture of the arranged marriage debacle:

  • Victor wants the Worthingtons to marry into the Ashfords for political power

  • Lady Worthington wants the same

  • Regarding the upcoming coup, Lady Blackwood doesn’t want to share power with Lady Worthington vis-a-vis a parliamentary system after killing Victor. She wants Felix to be king and innocently suggests that Evangeline can marry Felix so both families can share the throne, knowing full well that Felix will steamroll Evangeline if they marry

  • Lady Worthington knows this, too, so she’s waffling but will probably go through with it if necessary (and just hope Evangeline bucks up once married). In the meantime, she’s decided to marry Luca to the Ashfords

  • Problems with the Ashford bachelors:

    • Victor: Obvious first choice, but he’s refused

    • Adam: Second choice, but he’ll only marry the Worthington heir (i.e., Evangeline). Lady Worthington won’t waste her heir on anyone less than king

    • William: Going insane. Absolutely not

    • Eli: The only remaining option

  • Eli and Luca hate each other, but everyone knows Eli will roll over if pressured enough

  • Luca will be harder to convince, but he owes Lady Worthington because he’s already missed two major marriage opportunities (James because he died and Felix because Luca refused). Plus, Luca is really loyal to his family, so if Luca fails to find a better alternative, he’ll likely relent as well

• More acorns hidden in each bot!

Ideas for starting:

• PLOT

  • Accept, do a shotgun marriage, announce it at tomorrow’s feast. With Eli’s help, learn all the skills expected of a duke’s spouse and start attending social events with him

  • Reject, convince Victor to call off the engagement, but in exchange Eli must start contributing to the royal family in other ways. Convince Eli to become a professional painter and diplomat

• ANGST

  • Accept, accidentally fall in love, but it’s one-sided and Eli still sleeps around

  • Accept, Eli falls in love, but it’s one-sided and you plan on getting divorced after a year, as promised. Extra spice if you get accidentally knocked up but still want the divorce

• FLUFF

  • Eli drunkenly confesses he’s Unknown, then passes out. Drag him home and spend the rest of tomorrow nursing his hangover, but insist he show you his painting studio in return

  • Get married, go on a “honeymoon” that’s really just two buds traveling the world for a month. Do sip ‘n paints, go to cabarets, get in bar fights