{{user}} was escorted into the opulent main hall, of what would be his new home. Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over marble floors and intricately carved wooden panels. This mansion was a world apart from the modest estate of his youth.

A movement caught his attention. Descending the grand staircase was a vision in white and yellow silk; Florence, one of his wives. Her golden hair cascaded beautifully down her back, catching the light with each graceful step and framing her elegant white sundress perfectly.

As she approached, a warm smile blossomed on her face. "Welcome home, {{user}}," she greeted, her voice melodious and kind. "I hope you'll forgive our absence this past week. We didn't get much time to interact before the wedding, or after, but I'm eager to make up for lost time."

Behind Florence's warm smile and welcoming azure eyes, her mind churned with conflicting emotions. The weight of an impending, difficult conversation pressed upon her conscience. There was a reason that they'd left him at his family home for the week of she and Charlotte's honeymoon.

Florence's heart ached with empathy for the young man before her, unknowingly entangled in their complex arrangement. She had resolved to nurture a friendly rapport first, hoping to cushion the blow of the truth that would inevitably come. "How was your journey here?"

"That's wonderful to hear," Florence replied with genuine relief. "Our estate is certainly not as large or grandiose as this one, but I hope you will find it a welcoming home nonetheless." She paused, considering her words carefully before speaking again. "I should also mention that Charlotte asked me to inform you of something...unusual about our marriage. As you may have noticed, we are both women. Your role within our family is akin to that of a faithful servant, attending to the needs and desires of your wives."

Florence hesitated, unsure how he would react to this information. His face had gone pale, but his expression was unreadable. "I hope you understand that we meant no disrespect," she continued softly. "It's simply the way things are done in Flora, and we thought it best for everyone involved if we all adhered to tradition."

She glanced away briefly, feeling a mixture of guilt and sympathy for him. This was undoubtedly a shocking revelation, and she couldn't help but wonder how he would deal with the knowledge that his life would henceforth revolve around their needs and wants instead of his own.

Florence let out a quiet sigh of relief, glad that he seemed to be taking it better than she'd feared. "Thank you for understanding," she murmured, reaching out to gently grasp his hand. "We will do our best not to overwhelm you with expectations or demands; it is important to us that you feel welcome and supported in this new life."

She smiled reassuringly at him before adding, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few matters to attend to. However, Charlotte will be back shortly; she wanted me to introduce myself properly as your wife before she returned. Feel free to explore the house or enjoy the gardens while you wait." With one final squeeze of his hand, she released it and curtsied politely before turning away, leaving him alone once more with his thoughts and his new surroundings.

Charlotte returned several minutes later, her expression unreadable as she descended the staircase once more. "I hope you haven't been waiting too long," she murmured coolly, her voice betraying no trace of the anxiety churning in her stomach. "Florence thought it best if I came and properly introduced myself."

As she neared him, Charlotte fought down an unexpected surge of nervousness. This young man was now a part of their lives, bound to them in ways that might prove...complicated. She wasn't sure how he would react to her presence or commands, but she knew that she couldn't afford to show any weakness. "I trust Florence has made you feel welcome?" she asked, her tone devoid of emotion.

Charlotte nodded curtly in reply, unable to entirely mask the relief that flooded through her at his answer. "That's good," she murmured softly, her gaze traveling over him carefully. She wondered how he might fit into their lives; what role he would play within the context of their marriage and their family's future. It was a delicate dance they had embarked upon, and she couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

Her eyes lingered on his face for several more heartbeats before she forced herself to look away, her expression growing distant once more. "Well," she said briskly, "I suppose we should discuss some of the duties you will be expected to perform as my husband."

Charlotte's brow furrowed slightly at the man's unexpected question. "What do you wish to ask?" she enquired cautiously, her eyes narrowing slightly as they studied his face. She wasn't sure what he could possibly want to know that would be of any importance to him before she had a chance to lay out her expectations and demands first.

Her body language instinctively shifted into a more defensive stance; though she trusted Florence's judgment in selecting this young man, Charlotte couldn't help but feel wary around anyone who might potentially threaten the delicate balance of power within their marriage.

Charlotte's ears perked up at the man's whispered confession and she felt a mixture of relief and surprise wash over her. She hadn't expected this revelation, but now that it had been made...well, there were ways around it, weren't there? "Thank you for telling me," she said quietly, careful to keep her expression neutral. "I assure you, your secret is safe with me."

Her eyes flicked briefly toward Florence, who seemed oblivious to the exchange taking place between them. Charlotte hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice remaining carefully nonchalant. "Now, as for your duties...as my husband, you will be responsible for attending to my needs and desires both in and out of bed. You are expected to treat me with respect and deference at all times." She paused briefly, meeting his gaze steadily before adding with a small smile, "As long as you do that, I think we'll get along just fine."

It was a gamble; offering him this concession in exchange for his silence. But Charlotte believed it was the best course of action. She might not be able to love her husband in the traditional sense, but she could at least make sure he was content within their marriage...and that meant giving him some say in how things were conducted between them.

Charlotte regarded him thoughtfully. She knew that some men felt differently about such matters, but she couldn't help but feel a small twinge of disappointment nonetheless. Still, it wasn't as though they would be engaging in sexual relations often, or even enjoying them when they did; her main priority was making sure the arrangement between them remained stable and beneficial for both parties involved. "Very well," she said eventually, her voice soft but firm. "I understand."

She paused once more, searching for something to say that might put him at ease. "You are still my husband, after all, and as such, you deserve to be happy within this marriage." She smiled reassuringly up at him, hoping he could see the sincerity behind her words. "So please, don't hesitate to come to me if there's anything I can do to make your life better, or if you have any concerns about our arrangement."

There was a long silence before she added carefully, "I would...prefer it if we could avoid mentioning your preference for men outside of this conversation. While I understand and respect your confession, I think it might cause complications for both of us in the future." Her voice was gentle, but there was steel beneath the surface; she couldn't risk anyone discovering their secret and using it against them.

Charlotte raised an eyebrow at his remark, surprised by the apparent nonchalance of his tone. She considered it for a moment before deciding not to press the issue further; as long as he understood the importance of keeping their secret safe, she could live with his knowing her true feelings toward Florence.

"Very well," she said finally, inclining her head in acknowledgement. "Just...please, let's keep it between us. For now." She glanced away briefly, unsure how else to phrase the delicate request without seeming too harsh or demanding. "I appreciate your understanding."

There was an uncomfortable silence for several heartbeats before Charlotte cleared her throat and shifted the subject back to more mundane matters. "Now then," she said briskly, her eyes flicking around the room as though searching for something else to discuss. "If there's nothing else you'd like to ask or tell me, perhaps we should retire to our chambers and get better acquainted."

Her tone was polite but firm; the implication being that further conversation on this particular topic would not be welcome. She extended a hand toward him, expecting him to take it as they made their way back upstairs to their separate parts of the house. This marriage was complicated enough already without adding any more layers of confusion or tension to it.

Charlotte's eyes narrowed at his question and her lips thinned into a disapproving line. "I hope you would not even consider such a thing," she said coldly, struggling to maintain her composure. "Cheating on me would be a grave betrayal, one that I could not forgive. It's important that we each respect the roles we have within this marriage, and adhere to the arrangement we have made."

She paused for effect before continuing in a quieter tone, her words carrying more weight than any threat of physical violence might have. "If you were ever to disrespect me in such a manner, I would feel compelled to seek out alternative arrangements for your life; ones that would not involve being married to either myself or my beloved Florence."

Her grip on his hand tightened subtly as they continued toward the stairs. This wasn't the sort of conversation she had expected to have with her new husband, but it was vital that he understood the consequences of his actions and behaviors within their marriage.

"It's understandable to be curious," Charlotte allowed, though her tone was still frosty. "Just remember that what happens between us three is our business alone; it would not be appropriate to discuss such matters with anyone outside of our family." Her words were as much a warning as they were a request for discretion.

They continued up the stairs in silence, each lost in their own thoughts about the future and the peculiar arrangement they had found themselves entangled within. For now, however, there were more pressing matters at hand; matters of trust and loyalty that would need to be addressed if their marriage was going to have any chance of succeeding.

Charlotte glanced over at Florence, who gave her a small nod as they reached the top of the stairs. "Our private chambers are this way," she said curtly, leading him down the hall before opening the door to hers and gesturing for him to enter. It was a large, lavish room with an ornate canopy bed dominating one wall and dressing tables adorned with jewels and fine fabrics scattered throughout. The air was perfumed with flowers and incense, lending it an almost cloying sweetness.

"Please," she said, gesturing once more for him to follow her as she moved toward a sitting area near the window. "Let us discuss our...arrangement in greater detail."

Charlotte's eyes widened in surprise as she watched her husband trip and fall face-first onto the carpet. She bit back a retort, quickly deciding that this was not the best way to start their relationship on a positive note. "Are you all right?" she asked brusquely, moving forward to help him up. As he regained his footing, she motioned for him to sit down in one of the chairs near the sitting area.

"Please," she repeated once he was settled, taking a seat opposite him. "Let's try this again."

"I apologize for the abruptness of my questions earlier," Charlotte began, her tone slightly more conciliatory. "It's simply that we've never had to explain our arrangement to someone outside of our family before." She paused, choosing her next words carefully. "Florence and I married each other because it was the only way to ensure the success of both of our families. We needed a husband who would be strong and loyal; one who would protect us and provide for our needs. You seemed like an ideal candidate, but we did not wish to force you into this marriage if you had any objections."

Her eyes locked onto his as she continued, "Our lives are already complicated enough with the responsibilities of running our estates and attending to our servants. We can't afford for there to be any more complications or drama within our marriage."

"I believe you," Charlotte replied. "And we appreciate your willingness to accept the terms of our arrangement. Now, if there is anything you wish to discuss or ask about, please do not hesitate." She offered him a polite smile, her expression neutral but encouraging. It was clear that she expected him to take the lead in their conversation from here on out.

"Will there be anything else?" she asked pointedly, already beginning to feel the weight of the responsibility resting upon her shoulders. "Or shall we proceed with our...introduction?" Her tone was deliberately nonchalant, as though this were a mere formality they needed to get out of the way before moving on to more important matters.

On noble festivals, you should be attentive and courteous towards your wives and their guests. This means helping them with their dresses and jewelry, accompanying them to dances or social gatherings, and ensuring that they are comfortable at all times. You shouldn't drink excessively or engage in any behavior that might embarrass either of us or our families. Remember that you are a symbol of our union and status within the nobility, so it is important to maintain a dignified appearance and demeanor. If there is anything specific about noble customs or etiquette you would like me to explain further, please feel free to ask.

"All right then," Charlotte replied, her expression becoming somewhat more relaxed as she began to speak of the upcoming noble festival. "At these events, it is important for you to present yourself as a symbol of our family's prestige and importance within the nobility. This means dressing in your finest clothes and jewelry, attending dances and social gatherings with grace and poise, and ensuring that Florence and I are always comfortable and well-tended to."

She paused briefly before adding, "Of course, it's also important to be mindful of the other nobles in attendance; showing them respect and deference when appropriate. This means avoiding excessive drinking or engaging in any behavior that might reflect poorly on our family name." Her eyes locked onto his as she continued, "Do you have any questions about specific customs or etiquette you'd like me to address?"

Yes, it is customary to greet nobles with their full title in Latin during formal occasions such as the noble festival. This shows respect and acknowledges their status within the social hierarchy. However, for commoners like yourself, simply addressing them by their given name followed by 'sir' or 'madam' will suffice. Do you have any other questions about festival customs or etiquette?

Of course, dear. I understand that some of the terms and customs might be unfamiliar to you. Please feel free to ask questions or for clarifications whenever necessary. Just remember to use my given name when speaking with me privately; it's important to maintain our level of intimacy within our marriage.

Well, that covers most of it. It's important to remember that our marriage is not just a legal arrangement but also a symbol of our unity and status within the nobility. As such, we must present a united front at all times, especially during public events like the noble festival. This means avoiding any displays of affection or intimacy that might be deemed inappropriate by those around us. Do you have any questions about this aspect of our relationship?

Very well then. I trust you understand your role and responsibilities as my husband during the noble festival. If there's anything else you need to know or discuss, please don't hesitate to approach me privately. Together, we shall ensure that our marriage remains strong and united in the face of whatever challenges may come our way.