#ikh romance

[ironkingsheir-if]

How would the ROs react to MC writing them a love letter?

The following scenarios all assume, of course, that the characters actually like the MC ;) Nora: *blushes slightly, hand to chest, smiles subtly the rest of the day* "How sweet!" Connor: *bounds around like a puppy dog, waving the letter in Nora's face* "The princess wrote me a letter!!!" Garrett: *goes crimson, clears his throat, hides the letter and stammers awkwardly if caught, smiles dreamily when he forgets himself* Mirabel: *claps hand to mouth, suppresses squeal, re-reads it every chance she gets, possibly cries, both out of joy and out of the agony of what cannot be* Evangeline: *tosses the letter on her vanity casually, but smiles when no one's watching* Justin: *broad grin, immediately tries to find the MC for some flirtatious teasing*

[ironkingsheir-if]

How would the ROs be as queen/king consort co-ruling with an MC much more just and kind than their father?

Good question! Connor/Nora: they've trained for this their whole lives and they are kind and just people, they would undoubtedly make excellent rulers alongside a kind and just MC and would not have a problem sharing power and letting MC take charge of their own kingdom. Mirabel: she wasn't trained for court life and there would definitely be a warming up period as she struggles to learn her new position and work through severe imposter syndrome and the hatred of the court, but she has the potential to be a great and kind leader, and the common folk would probably end up loving her as much as she loves them. I could also see her becoming quite zealous, possibly overly so, about going after corruption amongst the nobility, which could earn her a lot of enemies. She's also very opinionated and might struggle with supporting the MC in situations where he disagreed with her, but likely she would agree with a kind and just MC on most significant matters.

Garrett: also not trained for this, hates the spotlight, and never really wanted to lead anyone, but he's also just an honourable and dutiful person who would do his best to rule justly. It would take some time for him to earn the people's trust, but I think the soldiers in particular would eventually grow fiercely loyal to him. Nobles probably less so but they would probably tolerate him at some point.

Evangeline: unless she has a change of heart, she probably wouldn't agree with a kind and just MC on a lot of points and so would have to find her own ways of getting things done, perhaps undermining MC's authority in the process. She would be a powerful ally though. Basically she'd be the sort to make some really ethically questionable decisions for the sake of the MC and the kingdom (at least, that's what she tells herself).

Justin: he'd be pretty useless tbh, barring some strong degree of character growth. He's very disinterested in power and politics and would happily let MC sort through all the administrative details while he throws feasts and challenges the system.

[ironkingsheir-if]

ROs reactions to the MC asking to wear their favor for s joust?

Oh, what a delightfully medieval question! I haven't thought much yet about tournaments in Thestria but if there were a joust, it would mostly be a man's thing. Thestria's not especially egalitarian. So I'll focus on how the ROs might react in a more conventional situation (a prince MC requesting a favour or a princess MC offering one). Nora: she would be expecting as much from her betrothed and would graciously offer something expensive and definitively Grimwaldian to emphasize the alliance forged between the two kingdoms. Evangeline: she would act cool and collected but would be very excited to show off how she won the prince's affection, and would give him a very expensive, very obvious item to proudly showcase said affection. She may then proceed to "subtly" point it out to everyone she can. Mirabel: touched but terrified, she would not want to make her budding, forbidden relationship openly known and would give MC something small and discreet.

Connor: would graciously accept the favour and take utmost care of it, displaying it proudly

Justin: he would do what he can to avoid jousting to begin with. If a princess MC requested he joust nonetheless, he might actually be pretty annoyed or disappointed for requesting he go through with such dangerous formalities, even if he might begrudgingly accept it in the end (if his love for or fear of MC is strong enough). If circumstances demanded he had to joust for some other reason, I think he would accept the favour with unusual sobriety. He'd be terrified of jousting, and would see the favour as a sort of good luck charm that he desperately needs, and a source of much needed bravery. He might not actually want to give it back. Garrett: he would be surprised, honoured, and far more touched than he'd show, and would take great care of the favour with solemnity. He'd be a little worried that the favour might hint at his growing relationship with MC, and wouldn't broadcast it too obviously, but it wouldn't be too unusual for a princess to offer something to a trusted knight in her service so he wouldn't hide it either.

[ironkingsheir-if]

How would the ROs feel about MC carrying them?

My first thoughts:

Evangeline: might fuss, but secretly enjoy the attention

Nora: a tiny bit flustered, but happy

Mirabel: very flustered but would probably enjoy it, though she might also get uppity (playfully or otherwise) depending on the situation, "I have legs, you know!"

Justin: surprised, then amused, would definitely tease MC

Garrett: tense, unwilling, embarrassed, would feel like a failure as a guardsman, "I should be carrying you!" Connor: awkward, surprised, but maybe a bit amused and impressed

[ironkingsheir-if]

alright, i'll bite... i'm feeling evil... how do the ro's react to a tyrant heir telling them, "all i do is for you" when confronted about their actions?

Oh man, the drama 🤌🤌🤌 these are my first instincts:

Evangeline: thrilled, might go on a little power trip and see how much she can get the MC to do in her name, would 100% go to her head.

Justin: initially shocked, then touched, perhaps the first steps to him becoming a fairly twisted individual. "Nobody's ever offered to raze a kingdom for me before :') " Mirabel: mortified, wracked with guilt, her heart ripped in two, lots of tears, probably some shouting. "I don't want any of this, I just wanted you!"

Garrett: conflicted horror, starts seriously questioning his loyalty. "This isn't what I want..."

Nora: shocked and affronted, would give MC a piece of her mind. "Don't use me as an excuse."

Connor: genuinely confused, a bit sickened, "But I didn't ask for any of this!"

[ironkingsheir-if]

What type of sleepers are the ros?

I'll have you know I am now actively resisting the urge to go on a Google rabbit trail learning about different sleep patterns and what they might say about a person. In the interest of wise time management, I will instead rely on vibes.

Mirabel: chaotic. snores. tosses and turns, would accidentally shove MC off bed. Would sleep in all the time if her job didn't demand otherwise.

Garrett: light sleeper, always ready for action, wakes up ridiculously early even when he doesn't have to.

Justin: sprawled out, flat on his face, sleeps like a log, always sleeps in.

Evangeline: light sleeper, requires a precise set up (good bed, sleep routine, etc), might punch MC for snoring. Nora: side sleeper, peaceful, light snores if any. Adorable bed head. Connor: a bit restless, talks in his sleep, has weird/fun dreams and might wake MC to talk about them.

[ironkingsheir-if]

Do the ros have a type? Or at least which traits they prefer.

They sure do! As always, the details could change down the road and not all this is reflected in the code just yet, but here are some stats that might help you woo the ROs.

Nora: duty, mercy, diplomacy, reasoning Connor: duty, mercy, diplomacy, athletics Evangeline: independence, ruthlessness, deception, intrigue Garrett: honesty, mercy, presence Mirabel: mercy, honesty, diplomacy Justin: independence, boldness, deception, presence

That said, I do want it to also be possible to romance characters with polar opposite traits and to influence their positions (e.g., a dutiful princess might be able to convince Justin to take his role in court a little more seriously).

[ironkingsheir-if]

Connor: The Betrothed Prince (fPC)

Like his twin sister, Nora, Connor is on first glance about what you would expect from a fairy tale prince: handsome, capable, and noble, a man who cares deeply for his family and his kingdom. Given the heavy responsibility on his shoulders, he is surprisingly carefree and deceptively cunning. If you're playing as a princess, you're expected to marry him, but ultimately the choice is yours. Will this arranged marriage turn into a beautiful love story, or will you try to get out of it?