A Roll of the Die - 1. Inception
Copyright© 2026 by Michael Loucks
Chapter 22: Day 35
Matthias and the others from Newtown arrived in Haven late in the afternoon on the day of the private banquet honoring Robert and Miri, leaving Jorah in charge at Newtown. Matthias and Lilia had rooms in the Royal Quarters, while the others had rooms in other parts of the Keep, which Matthias would have called a 'castle' or 'palace' in the OP.
There was no time to do anything other than wash and dress for the banquet, so that is what they all did, gathering in the Royal dining hall about an hour after they had arrived. The banquet, although private, was not a small affair, with three Earls and their wives, four Knights and their wives, three Lord Mayors and their wives, and about a dozen other nobility of similar rank to Matthias.
King Ludwig hosted the banquet, of course, and after a suitable time of mingling, took his seat, together with the Queen, at the head of the table. Once the King and Queen were seated, the Head Steward called everyone to take their seats. Once they had done so, the King rose.
"Lords, Knights, Ladies, and special guests, we gather to celebrate the upcoming union of my nephew, Duke Robert, to Lady Miri of Fulham. I pray their marriage be fruitful, and that it will provide an heir to the throne in due time. As you all know, Nystrian tradition requires that the crown pass through male heirs first, which places my beloved brother next in line as Crown Prince, and Robert as his heir. A son born to Duke Robert and Miri would ensure the proper passage of the Crown."
Matthias did not like the rule and felt that the eldest of the King's daughters should become Queen, much as had happened in England in the OP, and was the law in countries such as Sweden, where the eldest child was female. However, that was not a Nystrian tradition, and the daughters would retain their titles in relation to their husbands' ranks — Countess, the title used for the wives of both Counts and Earls.
Of course, had it been the case that women could rule, Miri would not be in line to be Queen, so it was, in the end, better for the Realm and for the band of adventurers from Newtown. Matthias was confident Robert's plan to become King would have dealt with that impediment, had it existed. None of that bothered Matthias, who in the OP had been envisioned by Matthew as being Chaotic Neutral on the alignment chart.
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