The Heir (A forbidden love, yet impossible to resist...)

A man of great stature and renown, Richard Montgomery lived in the township of Riod village. Richard didn't just rule this quaint settlement; he reigned over the hearts and minds of those who lived here. The irony was that his office as leader was neither mercenary nor hereditary but rather one borne out of commingled respect and admiration through centuries of benevolent rule.

Richard Montgomery was the political head and one of the wealthiest men in the area. His wealth was not amassed through exploitation or avarice but through wise investments, prudent management, and an understanding of commerce and agriculture, which are the lifeblood of the planet Riod. Often, his riches were spent on the welfare of the village, and his wealth made Riod flourish along with its maker.

His influence stretched beyond Riod's borders and was sought beyond the neighbouring cities where he advised, and whose decisions were almost standard. Richard's voice commanded weight, whether it was at a local assembly or one of the council meetings they held. His words were measured, his judgments fair, and his vision for Riod and its circumscribed area was prosperity and unity.

Richard held warily in the villagers of Riod, on account of his wealth and his power, not to mention his genuine concern for their wellbeing. He was familiar as they walked among him, not a master of the distant sort but mingled into their number as a neighbour, a friend, even a confidant. His policies were directed toward raising the material standard of living for all, and measured life solely in terms of accomplishment, the realisation of potential, and the attainment of standards designed to improve the lot of the youngest child, as well as the oldest elder.

One evening, with a clear strange heaviness in the air, Richard sent notice that Elaine was unusually quiet and visibly upset. That wasn't an ordinary night; that was a special night for those times when things got normal and warm in their home but ended up being nothing but sombre. It wasn't just that Elaine's sleep was suffering, it wasn't just that Elaine was suffering, it wasn't even that Elaine's sleeping was affecting the whole household, it was that Elaine's mood was casting a shadow over the whole household.

As Richard could instinct her mother's anomaly to what was happening, he decided to approach her with the intent to comfort and understand. He knew, per usual, her mother, typically a vibrant, cheerful person, was melancholic because of a reason. In the dimly lit room, the soft glow from the bedside lamp filtered long shadows that bent in to match the mood.

"Mom, what's troubling you?" Sitting on the bed beside her, Richard asked gently. Her eyes held a sadness as well as longing, looking up.

Elaine started to explain, I just want to see my grandson. Richard Montgomery hasn't married yet and time is slipping away.

Richard understood. Richard had put off the idea of settling down with a career. Elaine was sad about this point because she believed the home would be bustling with the laughter of children.

He felt the coolness of her skin as he took his mother's hands. I promise you, you'll see your grandson soon, Mom. She assured and told him to be news to get marry soon. "He's just waiting for the right one."

The tension in Elaine's face eased slightly at her daughter's reassurance. Let's not sweat the small stuff that's not in our control right now, Richard added. You are tired, it's late."

She helped her mother tuck the blanket in, fluff the pillows, and settle her back down in the bed. Now it did not appear quite so daunting, the room warmer for their shared conversation. He stayed until his mother stopped breathing evenly, the lines of worry disappearing from her face.

Richard returned to the room, but a weight hung over his shoulders too. He knew he could comfort his mother tonight, but that wouldn't solve the underlying problem. He wanted to help solve this so he went to his own bed already conducting the next steps to making his mother's mother happy.

The next day, Richard Montgomery was distraught by his mother's continual sadness. Today, her distress seemed like the weight of this issue was pressing on him, but subtly, for years. Richard became frustrated and so looking for guidance; decided to speak to his younger brother, Edgar Montgomery.

Richard told Edgar about the situation - he did so quietly, but Edgar listened intently, a sound trait of his, which I've heard has been known to many. When Edgar mused for a moment, he came with an unconventional yet old family tradition inspired solution. He reminded Richard of the annual festival when the family gathered to honour the 'Ancestors' Requiem' and seek the blessings of their forebears to know what their personal choices were to be.

Edgar advised Richard he should use this festival to find a suitable partner. Edgar's voice was energised; he beamed: "Here's what you can do." During the Ancestors Requiem festival, choose 10 women among the attendees. He paused for effect, but, 'you must pick carefully, considering those virtues, and intelligence, and, above all, compatibility with the values of our family.'

Then what? Richard found himself intrigued, but sceptical, asking, 'And then what?'

"I'd continue (Edgar), 'You'll invite these women to do something similar to what our forebears would use to ascertain a fit partner.' " The tests may have been intellectual, or the ability to perform domestic chores or just social grace. You'll also watch how they play together, their responses to difficulties and how they fit into our family.

At first Richard was surprised at the complexity of Edgar's plan, but also found aspects of the plan that could work. Instead, it wasn't about just getting a spouse, it was about the person fitting in and being accepted within the family's traditions and whatever is expected from it. The thoughtful approach to such a very personal matter appreciated by him.

Richard thought about it a while before he said he'd agree. "Alright, Edgar. Let's do this. He felt some apprehension and some hope and would trust in the wisdom of our ancestors and your guidance.

But Richard Montgomery, with his brother's counsel, didn't just set out on an unusual journey to find love in tradition and culture when he journeyed to the Ancestors Requiem festival. I wanted to save them the search for a partner and to be a part of a process that would honour their lineage and hopefully give his mother's worried heart some peace.

A great day there was, the day of the Ancestors Requiem Festival, where all the sons, members and visitors of the village come together to show gratitude and pay reverence to all the Ancestors who have immortalised their lives in sacrifice for the village to stand. Richard Montgomery was on his way to pick the Lady he would choose as his honourable celebration began...

Richard Montgomery chose them based on their beauty and grace and granted all 10 ladies invited to his mansion in the royal village. The ladies were happy, and honoured, to have been chosen and they prepared for the big day.

The ladies dressed in their very best, arrived at Richard Montgomery's mansion the day of the festival. The lord himself also greeted them and invited them to his home. Then the ladies were led to a grand ball room, and were served with a fit feast.

Richard Montgomery left his quarters to come out into the new day, the sun barely over the horizon, now a truly beautiful day to begin. He introduced himself to the ladies with a warm smile, his words polite but not necessarily cold and definitely without an air of fake warmth behind them. With grace and eagerness, the ladies met the man who had captured their hearts, as equally eager to make it their man.

The atmosphere crackled in anticipation, in the presence of Richard's younger brother, Edgar Montgomery and his distinguished mother. Richard gave his brother a solemn air, as he sent him to convey his will to the gathered ladies. "There. Edgar, stepping forward with confidence, addressed them with a clarity which left no room for ambiguity."

"I am now, Edgar began, 'my esteemed ladies, there are five steps you must travel to become Richard Montgomery's wife.' You have already passed the initial selection step - and passed it with exceptional qualities."

The room got swept by a palpable feeling of excitement and determination.

'In the second step, as my brother instructed, each of you should rigorously assess your individual self and determine who amongst you may carry improper sentiments or conduct,' Edgar continued. "They shall be swiftly eliminated from this sacred process, such individuals."

His words had been like a spark to the ladies, who burned with a fierce desire to practise the most highly exacting conduct. They knew the incalculable power of keeping the breaking of their ranks apart, for without such it could not hope to gain Richard's hand in marriage.

Scarlett Deville was one of the enchantresses that had been, so to speak, accepted into the company of ladies. She had an alluring charm in her face that drew all who beheld her, save one notable exception was Richard Montgomery. Some innocence hung in her seductive aura that completed the whole picture.

Throughout the village, Scarlett had a reputation for amorous exploits. An incredible 70% of its male population was entranced by her heart, leaving the elderly and young completely untouched. She had even seduced the hallowed halls of the Montgomery family.

She neglected nothing, undeterred by her many conquests, and her increasing yearning to join her own body with Richard Montgomery's. She realised the strength of feminine wiles, and plotting to dispose of all possible competition hatched a clever scheme. She grinned slyly, 'You have no weapons left, body or soul. I will take them all, and use them, to secure Richard's affections.'

Scarlett embarked upon making a move that in fact furthered her nefarious scheme and at a cost, launched a campaign of blackmail, blackmailed her way into targeting people who dared to stand in her path. To manipulate and control her rivals she used both veiled threats and scandalous revelations, to make certain as the sole winner in her quests for the affection of Richard.

Scarlett Deville, a cunning and manipulative woman, had meticulously orchestrated a plan to ruin Charlotte, one of her rivals. She approached Charlotte with an innocent facade, her sweet voice and disarming appearance convincing the unsuspecting victim to accompany her outside the confines of Richard Montgomery's estate.

Deville's true intentions were far from honourable. She had arranged for another man to meet them outside, knowing that the innocent Charlotte would be unaware of the sinister plot unfolding. With calculated precision, Deville lured Charlotte into a compromising situation, capturing their encounter on video.

Once in possession of the incriminating footage, Deville gleefully sent it to Richard Montgomery, knowing full well the damage it would inflict. Montgomery's reaction was swift and furious. He immediately informed his brother to banish Charlotte from his residence without delay.

As the news of Charlotte's impending exile reached Deville, a surge of triumph coursed through her veins. She had successfully blackmailed her competitor and ensured her downfall. Charlotte, once a respected individual, was now an outcast, her reputation tarnished by Deville's malicious scheme.