Submitting to the Prince

[jacobjon]

The kingdom of Terrim is an island nation that has long been isolated from the outside world. In most ways, they are like other kingdoms in the region, but the major difference is in their treatment of queens and ladies. A married queen has the normal authority, but is expected to submit to her husband. It is not uncommon for her to be tied in public by her husband, to have her attire selected by him, and to treat his word as law. Rule is not always passed by birthright, so a noble or king is often judged by his wife. If she obviously trusts him, he is viewed as fair and just. Unjust rulers often find their reign cut short. 

Idea 1: Your character is the only princess of a small nation. When she was a teenager, her mother died, and her father was forced to remarry to strengthen the kingdom. Her stepmother was cruel and spiteful, and your character is often forced to act as a voice of reason against her cruel ideas. Now that she is of marrying age,  the queen is eager to be rid of her, and accomplishes this by arranging a marriage between her and the prince of Terrim. What she couldn't expect is that your character would be fascinated by the customs of her new home, and find that she enjoys the idea of submission. This one could be as simple or complex as we desired. Perhaps the royal couple have to maneuver against the stepmother, who is spreading her corrupt influence. 

Idea 2: My other idea is to pair a prince of Terrim with a member of a lesser noble family, one who would be aware of the demands placed on noble females of higher stations, but who would have little expectation of experiencing it. Her family has made some powerful enemies and is attacked, but the prince and his guards are nearby, and they fend off the attackers. In gratitude, the head of her house swears her to the prince. She might have been intended as a servant and someone for the prince to practice dominating,  but he finds himself drawn to her, and she finds that she enjoys submitting to him. Over time, they start to toy with the idea of throwing off rules for a royal wedding and claiming one another.