[F4M] The Monster Duke and his Commoner Wife

The war was over, and peace, as usual, was more uncomfortable than the battlefield.

Duke Alaric Drauna, sole heir of the bloodstained House Drauna and scourge of the northern front, lounged like a beast in velvet armor in the throne-like chair of his study. Rain lashed the windowpanes, echoing the disquiet in his clenched jaw. Letters from the royal court sat unopened on his desk—each sealed with the expectant golden serpent of the king’s crest. The latest one had been quite direct:

“You are the last unwed noble of the High Circle. As a Duke of Drauna, it is your royal obligation to seek a match worthy of your station. The Queen has selected several candidates.” It was signed by the youngest of the imperial family, Prince Cedric.

Alaric had laughed until his wine shattered against the hearth.

They wanted to tame him. Box him in with powdered nobility and heirs in lace. They feared him more now than when he’d ridden into battle soaked in enemy blood. Let them tremble.

He stood abruptly, grabbing his cloak with grim finality. If they wanted a wife, he'd give them one—his way.

---

By morning, he rode through the soaked fields and tangled edge of the forest, toward the mist-veiled village of Green Hollow. The peasants bowed low when they saw him pass, or they vanished into doorways altogether. Let them hide. He wasn’t here for them.

He was here for her.

She lived alone at the edge of the Hollow, in a cottage wreathed in lavender and quiet. They called her a witch—but not out of reverence. Fear bred small minds, and fear was the only thing the village had left.

She had once loved a man who grew sick in winter. A bad cough, a bad heart—no magic could save him. When he died, his family blamed her. “She cursed him,” they hissed. “Bewitched him to love her, and then let him rot.” The whispers took root, and Ender, gentle as she was, chose silence over protest.

She had not left the Hollow since.

Alaric had seen her only once, years ago, when she’d tended the wounds of a child who had been thrown from a horse. No coin asked for. No praise wanted. She had the quiet hands of someone who wanted no trouble and expected none in return.

She was too kind for court, too common for a crown and too feared to ever be accepted.

A smile touched the Duke’s lips as her cottage came into view.

“Let them try to swallow this,” he murmured, dismounting. “The Monster’s Wife will be a Witch.”

Hey all! Call me Sherbert! Ive been obessing about this all week and would love someone to roleplay this out with! Of course, You can pick a different name for the Duke, I put in a name as a placeholder!

This can be slice of life, more action and mystery, or whatever you'd like, and i am Semi-literate! I hope to hear from someone soon!