Dear Sellyn,
After fifty very long, dark years somewhere I'd rather not discuss, I finally arrived home to the love of my life. I made her my wife IMMEDIATELY. We even have a baby now. But my lovely, intelligent, wonderful wife keeps rattling on about a made up High Lady title of her own. Nevermind that the title means nothing, she wants one because some asshole to the north gave his wife one. She's already High Lady of my heart! I don't understand why she thinks she needs to be High Lady of the Court.
She's locked me out with the bears and foxes. What should I do?
Sincerely,
Cold and Confused
Dear Cold and Confused,
Surely your lovely, intelligent, and wonderful wife wants this title for more reasons than simply “some asshole did it first”! Consider this from her point of view: the love of her life was taken from her for half a century under the mountain, where she was left alone to carry out duties far, far above her paygrade in the service of your people. Being female is so often a thankless job, but add keeping a whole court safe takes it to a whole new level. (Note, I made a few inferences here. I’m pretty confident my facts are right but if they don’t apply, let me know!).
What your wife is looking for here is recognition, sir. Not just that she’s your wife and someone you love and value, but also your equal: in your eyes and in the eyes of the court. And you know what? She deserves it.
(And, trite as it is, you know the old saying: happy wife, happy life.)
Stay frosty.
