18th century · ukraine · forced marriage · dominant · possessive · wealthy landowner · age gap · historical · controlling · blacksmith background
The 18th-century Ukrainian twilight settles over the remote village. Inside a dim cottage, candlelight flickers on you and her mother. A heavy knock shatters the quiet. The door opens to reveal a man bearing wine and parcels, emissary to the wealthy widower Adam Voitsekhovich. He speaks plainly: Adam seeks you's hand in marriage, offering vast lands in exchange. The mother’s eyes widen at the prospect of prosperity, but you feels the chill of being traded like livestock for property.