Glossary

Hello dearies,

For the perfect understanding of the higher-ups in this novel, I'll be listing out the peerages of hereditary degrees. And their rankings.

The peerage is the highest tier of the nobility; these are nobles called to convene whenever the court of peers is pressed to conduct its business or governance. Many, but not all of these peers hold hereditary titles.

First of all, we know that a king has the highest power in the Empire; which is then followed by some other Lords. The Royal family consists of the high sovereign.

After the king, there used to be six ranks of active governing titles within the peerage, but are now seven.

Peerage normally has five descending hereditary degrees - Dukes, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. However, adding up to the rightful hereditary power equal to the King will make seven hereditary degrees.

1) Archdukes. Their wives are styled, Archduchess. They have the highest grade in the peerage. Archdukes are known to be calm, and mild-mannered gentlemen who venture into the well-being of their subordinates. They own half of the land in a kingdom, after the King, and most rules in the northern part.

2) Granddukes. Their wives styled, Grandduchesses. They are third-in-command in the grade of the peerage. They're mostly known to be conceited, proud, and evil, especially in the court. Like the Archduke, they own a certain part of the land and stay in the capital of the kingdom.

3) Dukes. Their wives styled, Duchess. They're the fourth in command. For the setting of BOD, the second in command is the Duke of Devonshire Empire, who's a friend of the Archduke. Dukes are known to be cold-hearted, elegant looking, and crafty in their business. Though they prey on others, they secretly have a soft touch for their subordinates. Unlike the Archdukes and Granddukes, they possess almost half and some portion of the lands. They live in the southern part of the Kingdom. They are addressed as 'My Lord' or 'My Lady'

4)Marquess. Their wives styled, Marchioness. They are the fifth in command. For the setting of BOD, the third in command is the Marquess of Warpath Town, a foe in the association of bribery and warship. Marquess is known to defend and fortify against potentially belligerent neighboring lands, but some of them greedily negotiate with these lands. In BOD, the Town of Warpath is known to deploy slaves for their sexual needs. They live in the western part of the Kingdom. Are addressed as 'My Lord' Or 'My Lady'

5) Earl. Their wives styled, Countess. They are the sixth in command. Addressed as 'Lord courtesy' Or 'Lady courtesy'

6) Viscount. Their wives styled, Viscountess. They are the seventh in command. Logically, they are not part of the hereditary peerage but are administrative refugees who assist the Earl in matters of financial, military, and judiciary authority. For the setting of BOD, the Viscount is the one that helps the Dukes and Archdukes in the findings of the missing peasants, burning of vegetation, and dead bodies. They live in the same town as the Dukes and Earls. Are addressed as 'Lord' Or 'Lady'

7) Baron. Their wives styled, Baroness. They are the least in command and the last peer. Moreover, Baron is a title of honor given to any nobleman who pledged his loyalty and service to a superior in return for land that he could pass on to his heirs. They ruled large areas of land called 'fiefs'. In BOD, there will be lots of Lords that'd get attractive and mysterious, adding flavor to the taste.

These seven are the official peerages.

Then we have the Second-ranked class

Knights, Lords.

Then the lower-ranked class.

Peasants, Serfs, and merchants.

NOTE: BARON AND LORDS ARE TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE. THE HIGHER LORDS ARE THOSE IN EQUAL STATUS WITH THE DUKES, WHILE THE LOWER LORDS ARE JUST OF NAME WITH LOWER STATUS.

BOD IS A SLOW-BURN NOVEL. I PLEAD YOU HAVE PATIENCE AS THE BOOK DEVELOPS. YOU'LL LOVE IT.