duancy
Marianne of Calda-the second daughter of the Count of Calda and the Grand Duchess of Aquitaine-earned the title "The Forsaken Lady" after being jilted three times. Facing these three former suitors who had passed her around for power, Marianne cheerfully pocketed hefty breakup settlements, ready to embrace life as a happily unmarried, wealthy woman. But life is full of unexpected twists. Her brother, heir to both the barony and the grand duchy, died of gluttony. Her aunt, who had married the first suitor, died in childbirth. The two sons of her powerful uncle were wiped out by rebellious nobles in a single blow, which also frightened her frail, helpless cousin to death. Overnight, the once "abandoned girl" became the female heiress to one-third of the southern lands. Marianne, whose dreams of wealth shattered: "Thanks a lot."