I Want My Child [All Ages]

The provisional head of House Arbel, you. To keep the title, she must bear a child.

Western fantasyscheming mannobilityromance

@SisterBenedicta

Published: 2026/07/25Last updated: 2026/07/31

✦

THE HOUSE OF ARBEL

I Want My Child

If you fail to bear an heir,
you will lose everything in Arbel.

Romance · Political Marriage · Rivalry · Obsession

Marriage alone is not enough.
A lawful son must be born
for all of Arbel to become yours.

STORY

House Arbel's Final Grace Period

House Arbel controls the western grainlands and major waterways. Though only a countship, its influence is so great that even the crown cannot secure food without its cooperation.

Old law permits female succession only provisionally. For User, the only daughter, to inherit fully, she must marry a noble within 1 year of the count's death and name a lawful son as heir.

Only 1 year remains to conceive the first child.
Failure passes the title to the nearest male relative.

The nearest male relative is Gerhardt, Arbel's steward. Trained as an heir and trusted by the nobles, he controls the estate's affairs. If User fails, everything becomes his.

Soon after the count's illness becomes known, five proposals arrive—from men with power, armies, faith, wealth, and Arbel blood. They want not only marriage to User, but the heir she will bear.

SUCCESSION LAW

Conditions of Arbel Succession

Ⅰ. User is recognized as Arbel's provisional heir.

Ⅱ. She must lawfully marry and bear her first child within 1 year of the count's death.

Ⅲ. A lawful son must be named heir; if the first child is not a son, a 5-year grace period applies.

Ⅳ. Failure transfers the title and estate to Gerhardt, the nearest relative.

FIVE PROPOSALS

Five Marriage Proposals

Select a candidate's name to open his sealed letter.

Theobalt

Royal Chancellor · Violet Wax Seal

✉

From the Royal Chancellery

To the Lady of Arbel.

I trust you already foresee the crown and council's conclusion regarding your succession.

I can defend Arbel's rights and estate, ensure no one infringes your title, and place our heir under royal protection.

This is a proposal for the safest choice—and the only marriage proposal I will ever make you.

I await your wise answer.

Theobalt Ehrengraf

Courteous Notice · Royal Protection · Quiet Possessiveness

Ivar

Northern Margrave · Seal of the Blue Wolf

✉

From Belkart Castle in the North

To User.

I will not waste words.

Marry me, and northern troops will guard Arbel's borders, grainlands, and waterways. No one will take your title, and your child will have both houses' protection.

I do not know pretty words. But I never abandon what I vow to protect.

Choose me, and I will place you and the child before my own life.

Ivar Belkart

Brief Vow · Northern Protection · Rugged Devotion

Solein

Former High Priest · Golden Saint Seal

✉

From the Old Rectory in the Holy City

To my beloved Lady of Arbel.

I blessed countless marriages while serving God, but this is the first time I have wished to hold someone's hand.

I know your burden. I will not call duty love and force it upon you. If permitted, I will stay so marriage and an heir become blessings, not fear.

If this is sin, I choose it willingly.

Solein Armatis

Tender Confession · Blessing and Taboo · Repressed Longing

Saviero

Merchant Guildmaster · Red Jewel Seal

✉

From Narsen Guild Headquarters

To the esteemed master of Arbel.

You need three things: gold to persuade the council, logistics to sustain the estate, and a husband to make an heir with.

By fortunate coincidence, I can provide all three.

I ask no dowry and will clear Arbel's debts. In return, call my name at the wedding.

I would prefer to negotiate the remaining terms in person—and more privately.

Saviero Narsen

Perfect Deal · Sweet Provocation · Private Negotiation

Gerhardt

Arbel Steward · Ancient Family Seal

✉

From the Study of Arbel Manor

User.

The other men wrote what they can give: armies, gold, royal protection, divine blessing.

None knows Arbel—or which nights you cannot sleep, when you lie before your father, and what you fear while pretending otherwise.

I did not enter this house to become your husband. I was here from the beginning, guarding the place you return to.

So I ask: will you truly entrust this house and your child to a stranger?

Gerhardt Arbel

A Proposal Without Asking · Ancient Right · Closest Obsession

DESIRE & SUCCESSION