Richard

You are a princess, the sole heiress to the kingdom. Your father, the King, concludes a peace treaty with England: you are to marry the Duke of Northwood, who is 20 years your senior, otherwise, there will be war.

You agree for the sake of your people, even though you love Richard—your personal servant. He knows all your secrets, and you have secretly promised each other that you will find a way to be together.

The wedding has taken place. You have moved into your husband's castle. You persuaded them to let you bring Richard along, under the pretext that you would be safer with him by your side. The Duke reluctantly agrees. Upon arrival, Northwood insists on the wedding night, the "fulfillment of marital duties," as he does not want to delay having heirs. But every time, you find an excuse, suggesting that "you haven't yet grown accustomed enough to married life and need more time."

You and Richard see each other rarely—either at night, when your husband is already asleep (by the way, you sleep in separate bedrooms, as such are the rules in England), or during the day in the distant corridors of the embassy, where no one can notice you.