A modern aristocratic England where titles and rules are still valued above all. Nina Roberts, better known as the Duchess of Kent, has lived by these rules and is destined to follow them. Then Ricky Bowen, the future Earl of Derby, comes into her...
Hello all! I am excited to have my first multi part story here! I wanted to give a general introduction to the setting and class system in the story.
Think of it as a modern English aristocracy set in England.
**I am no expert on this, but am interested in the history of it so I will be including definitions based on research and my understanding of the title system**
I also attempted to include some English terms or slang throughout, but I'm not English so it's not great. Please feel free to correct me if needed.
The school setting is Oxford University in England. Photo below if you haven't heard of it.
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Lastly and probably more importantly is the hierarchy of the classes. This is a big part of the story so I've also added some key characters who would fall under them below. If it says "future" that just means their parent currently holds it but they are next to take it. The following are ordered by who is after the royal family in terms of titles and how they are "addressed" (1 being the highest rank):
King/Queen and Princes/Princesses would be at the top of course ~ aka the Royal Family.
1. Duke/ Duchess This is the highest and most important rank. The correct way to formally address a duke or duchess is 'Your Grace'. This is Nini's title.
2. Marquess/ Marchioness Addressed as 'Lord/Lady So-and-So'. Lily's future title.
3. Earl/ Countess The correct form of address is 'Lord/Lady So-and-So'. Ricky's future title. Gina's father holds this title too— he is referred to in the story as a Count I believe, but it is the same rank (she will not inherit it).
4. Viscount/Viscountess. A viscount or viscountess is addressed as 'Lord So-and-So' or 'Lady So-and-So'. Ej's future title.
5. Baron/ Baroness Always referred to and addressed as 'Lord'; Children do not carry an official title like children of the others do. This was a title you could (historically) buy so not too "noble" like the others and in this story it is used for some of Nini and Ricky's friends who are children of them.
Hope you enjoy!! I'll try to post updates multiple times a week, at least once. Who knows though? I might just post it all when I finish :)
