Meet the family

You prepare to meet Jan and Sonya, reviewing what you know. Sonya is his third and youngest daughter with his recently-deceased wife, having just come of age. The older two have been married off and will not be in attendance. Unfortunately for any designs on the duchy you might have, their marriages have proven fruitful, meaning the eldest's son is being groomed as Jan's heir since he has no sons of his own. Not much chance for sketchy succession politics. Oh well. Still, there stands much to be gained in this union. Jan's duchy is relatively powerful and it is good to have an ally near your borders. That is just gravy compared to the true prize of your trip: a highly sought-after vote from one of the Confederation's handful of electors.

Standing behind the doors leading to the throne room, you hear your messenger announce you, listing all of the superfluous titles nobles such as yourself must create for show. The guards swing open the doors and you walk in, head held high. A bright red carpet leads from the entrance to the marble throne at the end of the room where Jan is seated. Eyes forward, you see Jan and Sonya. Jan lives up to his reputation as a striking man. Black, shoulder-length hair falls straight down from the golden ducal circlet he wears on his head. A curly black beard covers much of his swarthy face and falls down to his stomach, which is covered by a hauberk he is known to wear at all times, decorated with a section of cloth bearing his family's crest. A pair of dark, beady eyes peer out of his tanned and wrinkled face. Sonya, standing next to him, is easier on the eyes. She stands at about average height and carries herself with a dignity and posture to be expected from ladies of the court. Her hair is black like her father's, but with a wavy texture. Her skin is not so swarthy as Jan's, since she has not spent years on campaign like he has. Her face is pretty, though she is not a remarkable beauty. You guess that her breasts are about average size, though something about the way she stands with her hips slightly back makes you think her butt is on the larger side even if you can't see from this angle.

You get within a comfortable speaking range and begin. "Honored Duke-Elector, I have come here-" you say but Jan interrupts. "Yes, yes, I am familiar with the usual bits and I no longer have patience for them. I also know why you have come from your nice little kingdom to my court." Ouch. It seems he's still a little bitter about your dynasty's success. "You wish to court my daughter, correct?" You nod your head, wanting to be brief. "Well, if you would like the privilege, I need something from you first." Jan's frown turns into a smirk. Sonya reddens a bit, embarrassed. You feel like this is not the first time she has been through this script.