After ages of procrastinating, I finally pushed myself to update the story! 🥹
Chapter One is still very much a draft—far from perfect—but it’s a more fleshed-out version than before. It’s better to have something down that I can shape and polish over time than to keep beating myself up waiting for perfection.
-We will get a glimpse of the family dynamics.
-Choose MC name day as the celestial event when it happened.
-Basically this chapter is about the name day and the celebration of the equinox/solstice.
-We'll meet Hanniel-briefly.
-Receive gifts and enjoy of the festival fair activities.
In this chapter, we start delving a little into the world itself, as well as the key relationships that will remain constant for the MC throughout the story. I’ll still be making some light tweaks to it here and there, but for now, my focus is shifting to Chapter Two. Progress, not perfection!
I’m officially done with university—no more thesis, no more deadlines, no more sleep-deprived existential crises (for now). And with that, I’m stepping into real adult life… the terrifying kind.
Also: I’m moving countries again! Yep, big changes ahead as I pack up and head to Mexico 🇲🇽. Between that and the sudden void left by finishing uni, I’ve finally got the time (and brain space) to work more fervently on the game.
Here’s to new chapters, better coffee, and hopefully not losing my sanity in customs. Stay tuned—things are finally moving.
Most current IFs have more RO men and one RO female and yet I don't see straight men complaining.
Reading through all your messages of support has honestly meant the world to me. 💜 Thank you, truly, for taking the time to reach out, share your thoughts, and stand up—not just for me, but for the value of creative freedom in general.
This whole situation got unexpectedly messy, and while I’ve tried to stay focused on the story itself, your kindness and encouragement have reminded me exactly why I write and share this project. Whether you were pointing out the double standards in RO gender balance, sharing how often female ROs get pushed aside, or just reminding me that this is my story to tell—you’ve all hit the nail on the head.
Special thanks to those who shared personal experiences or frustrations. The diversity of viewpoints and the thoughtfulness in how you expressed them is something I genuinely respect and appreciate.
To everyone excited about all the different routes and characters: I can’t wait for you to experience them! Chaos, heartbreak, romance—you're getting it all. 😈
And to clear it up once more: No, I don’t hate gay people. That accusation came completely out of left field and frankly misrepresents everything I’ve been working on and how I engage with my readers. The line-up may not be perfectly balanced, but the intent has always been to offer something for everyone, and I’ll continue improving as I go.
Thanks again to every one of you for your support, your excitement, and for just being decent human beings in the face of nonsense. 💜✨
House Lavone. The very name resonates with the weight of centuries, a dynasty built upon the bedrock of shrewd commerce and formidable power. From their ancestral seat within the bustling city that stands as the realm's second heart, their influence stretches like the intricate threads of the famed Goudenvel silk they command. Their coffers, fed by the ceaseless bounty of their gold and silver mines and the steady flow through the vaults of the Eight Kingdoms' largest bank, are the envy of nobles and monarchs alike. And should diplomacy fail, the banners of House Lavone can call forth one of the most formidable armies in the realm. Theirs is a legacy etched in wealth and might, a testament to the enduring motto: "Worthy Deeds, Just Rewards."
The Duke of Peminster (Goudenvel) Lord Leander Lavone
FC: Jeremy Irons
Leaner is a shrewd and calculating politician, but with a genuine affection for his family. He is a master of diplomacy and intrigue, capable of wielding both charm and ruthlessness. He struggles to balance his loyalty to the crown with his responsibility to his house. He fears that might jeopardise his family's safety. He also is worried about the future of his heir, and if he has the skills to take over.
The Duchess, Lady Annelise Canbard
FC: Michelle Pfiffer
She's intelligent, compassionate, and fiercely protective of her children. She is a stabilising force in Leander's life, offering him counsel and emotional support. Came from a minor noble house, one that was heavily indebted to the Lavones. Her marriage to Leander was initially a way to settle those debts.
The Heir, Ser Damon Lavone
4 years older than MC
Damon grew up in the lap of luxury, surrounded by opulence and power. He was instilled with the belief that he was destined for greatness. He has always felt the pressure to live up to his father's reputation, leading to a constant need to prove himself. He has witnessed the fear that his father inspires, and mistaken fear for respect, leading to an over inflated ego. He is aware of the dark rumours surrounding his family's origins, and this both excites, and frightens him.
The Dutiful Child, Lady Odette Lavone
1 year younger than MC
Lady Odette remains the epitome of beauty and grace, captivating the court. Her public image is carefully cultivated, and she is beloved by the populace for her perceived kindness. Her acts of kindness are driven by a sincere desire to alleviate suffering, and she often takes people at face value, believing their intentions are as pure as her own.
Commander Theron Lavone
Theron's loyalty to Leander is a complex mix. He respects Leander's strategic brilliance and acknowledges that Leander's control over the family's vast resources is essential for funding his military endeavours. There's also an element of fear; Theron has witnessed Leander's ruthlessness firsthand, not just in financial matters but in dealing with internal threats. He understands the consequences of crossing his elder brother. Ultimately, Theron sees their goals as aligned – the dominance of House Lavone – even if their methods differ. He believes a strong military, backed by Lavone gold, is the key to long-term power.
Lord Cassian Lavone
While not holding a formal title beyond "Lord," Cassian effectively functions as the Master of Coin for House Lavone, overseeing the vast and intricate web of their financial holdings. However, his role extends beyond mere accounting. He is also the family's chief intelligence officer, using his network to gather information on rivals, anticipate market shifts, and uncover potential threats. He deals in secrets as much as he deals in gold, making him an indispensable, if shadowy, figure within the Lavone power structure.
Guys I'm actually making some great progress, so far I have, almost 15k for the update, all with code, sure there are bugs... but I'm actually focusing on getting it there first. Also I will avoid reading the first chapter and prologue, otherwise some inhuman force will compel me to rewrite it, so I will do it when ch2 is out.
Also I decided to no longer use my editor— I kind of think it chopped off most of my purple prose, but that's what has actually allowed me to do make progress.
I must say, this chapter is maybe about half done, but I'm actually excited, it will have some violence so I should add warning tags, as perhaps I will go too G.R.R.M. but guys I'm afraid you will start to really know me, as this story is full of it. You will meet the Lavone siblings in this chapter, and get to know Hanniel a little more. I am thinking in introducing the council members too.
So basically in this chapter I'm working on is focused, at first in the Great Royal Hunt —Which is held every 10th year of a monarch's reign, so it is a big of a deal. There will also be an execution—That's one of my favourite scenes 😈
So, yeah, I will continue and hope that it won't take me long for it to finish, also I'm starting to write faster and as a side note I've got at this point countless of ideas for new WIPs, but this is still my main project and the most ambitious one. So I run to them when I get a little too mad with this story to avoid hating it of course.
So I promise to not just picture the scenes in my head, though I do love to see the movie playing in my mind.
º—And I will post the last part of the NSFW ROS alphabet, I was sure it was in a draft but it just vanished so... I have to do sex research again.
Okay so August came and went, and writing-wise it went… okay. Not exactly how I wanted, but I still managed to get some solid wordcount down. I also switched up my process a bit: now I write first and leave coding for later. It keeps burnout from slapping me in the face as often. And when burnout does creep in? I escape into my very first WIP, which may or may not ever see the light of day but hey, it’s there.
I may have also gotten sucked into the worldbuilding abyss. Accidentally stumbled across my old Wonderdraft maps, then ended up in Inkarnate designing Kingsfall (the royal city). From there, it spiraled: tweaking house crests, fleshing out the Free Continent, expanding lore, reworking bits of the planned ending for Book 1 (which, btw, has me already daydreaming about some painfully angsty Book 2 scenes 👀).
And speaking of changes... I decided to revamp one of the ROs, Sorin. Her looks shifted, her backstory got tweaked, and she’s now one of the gender-selectable ROs. It just wasn’t sitting right with me before, and as her background is tied to the Free Continent gave me more room to blend cultures and histories outside of the Eight Kingdoms. Basically, I didn’t want my world to feel like just medieval Europe. (Maybe watching Blue Eye Samurai didn’t help either—I went full “Great Empires” mode while brainstorming the Dracarion influences.)
This past week though… oof. Haven’t gotten much writing done thanks to some personal crap clogging my brain + stressing me out. Add to that a laptop incident (yes, I am an idiot who forgets to do backups) which forced me to hand it over to a technician. Right now I’m on my old laptop——it runs like it’s powered by a hamster wheel, but it works. So I’ll have to save for a replacement. God, I miss being a spoiled brat living off my parents sometimes.
So yeah that’s the state of things. Writing is moving, worldbuilding is also spirally moving , laptops are betraying me, and my bank account is about to start crying.
Hi! Can m!mc be a pretty boy? Or do they have to be more masculine and handsome?
Also, poor Odette (in my playthrough), having a lifelong crush on a guy who is instead interested in her brother 🌈
Hi! Oh absolutely, MC can be a pretty boy if that’s what you want. I fully intend to let you guys customise MC’s beauty type, whether that’s sharp and masculine, soft and pretty, or something else entirely. I’ll probably add that when MC is no longer a child (so maybe around 18) to make for some very interesting choices. MC is canonically hot, of course, so people will react.
And poor Odette… she’s been pining for years, only for MC’s eyes to wander straight to her brother? That’s exactly the kind of tragic drama I live for.
Oh no 😥 Sorin is my favorite RO. Sad that you had to change her character and background. Her story talks about the struggles of women in medieval times, what with her being a former courtesan, which is entirely opposite from the other Female ROs, who grew up in powerful families. I feel her character was already ingrained with femininity, and it’s sad that we will not be able to explore her character anymore.
Oh no, don’t worry dear. I didn’t take that part away at all. Sorin is still very much a former courtesan, and you nailed it (that’s exactly why I added her in the first place). To show the struggles, yes, but also to carve space for someone whose life and path look so different from the privileged ROs. Her story is about pushing through that weight, about how even in struggle there’s room to carve a different path.
The only thing I really changed was the beginning of her background. I pulled some inspiration from Mizu and Akemi in Blue Eye Samurai (so now she also faces a layer of prejudice for her eye color, which isn’t typical for her “Kingdom.” That ties into her being the last surviving member of a wiped-out noble house). So yes, she’s still a courtesan, still carrying that feminine-coded hardship you mentioned but also layered with another kind of outsider struggle.
And this applies whether Sorin is female or male because either way, they’re still a former courtesan, and the scars and toughness of that experience remain central to who they are. I’ll update her intro post soon so it’s clearer, but her essence hasn’t gone anywhere.
