Aethelflaed of Mercia had been married off to the cruel Aethelred of Mercia, though she had her best friend by her side to help her survive the marriage.

Aethelred had died recently, and Aethelflaed remained the Lady of Mercia, her best friend with her, a growing fondness between the two ladies, despite Aethelflaed’s best efforts to ignore it completely. She had to prioritize Mercia, after all.