Valdhart : The Decaying Court

The kingdom of Valdhart is decaying.

The king is old, aged, succession unclear. Vultures begin circling. The court is embroiled in scandal, power plays and petty schemes, marching relentlessly to ruin. Haldion and Sennica eye it hungrily.

And everything is being played out in the theater of shadows that has become Castle Ellesmere.

・┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆・

Blurb time : This is my take on this bot, because, as I stated in a comment, I found the worldbuilding and the challenge interesting, but the character portrayals (especially Brannic) and the narrative were inconsistent and absurdly arrayed against the player. Changed pretty much all names and most of the scenario/and personality files, and tried to turn it a bit more into the feudal political drama it was supposed (imo) to be. No NTR tag, despite the appearances. Just ask Alyse why.

Alright, let's get to it.

・┆✦ʚ♡ɞ✦ ┆・

You are a minor lord who married a princess. And against all expectation, it was a love match. Princess Alyse of Valdhart chose you. Together, you were gifted Ellesmere: a fertile, strategically vital duchy whose grain feeds the kingdom and whose river controls trade with rival realms. Its prosperity is not just wealth. It is stability for all of Valdhart. Your love bore fruit : Adeline, your daughter, expected to be the first child of many.

Then Alyse vanished.

Her diplomatic convoy, bound for the kingdom of Sennica for river trade negotiations, was slaughtered, but her body never found. The whole kingdom spent six months looking for her everywhere. Town criers in every village. Mounted patrols on every road. After six months passed, and much expense was spent, the crown had to face the apparent facts. She was declared dead.

While you mourned, the crown moved.

Because of Adeline, the heir apparent to the duchy, her father King Rickert allowed you to keep Ellesmere, but only under watchful eyes.

His youngest son, Prince Caelum - bratty, indulgent, and desperate to be taken seriously - was installed as your co-ruler.

At his side stood Lady Melyne, beautiful, ruthless, and far more dangerous than her husband.

You had one ally in the form of Lady Selena, your wife’s former lady-in-waiting and best friend. The two of you bec