‘Tiriyanin’s Riddles’ – new novella cover reveal, royal titles & court etiquette in the Gragiyan Empire

I’ve recently started working on a new project, a fantasy romance novella called ‘Tiriyanin’s Riddles’, which is set in the Gragiyan Empire, the same universe as my short stories. The mythical universe is a continent resembling ancient Rome, comprising four provinces where humans live among Erai deities, four different Enai clans and water Enai (mer-folk).

‘Tiriyanin Riddles’ tells the story of Emperor Tiriyanin and his poly-amorous relationship with two mistresses Ducissa Skaraila “Darhjia” (orchid) & Lady Akrila “Lereia” (rose).

As an introduction to the world, I would like to explain some of the titles used to address the Imperial family as well as some of the rules of etiquette at the Emperor’s court.

Official Titles

The correct way to greet a member of the Imperial family is to bow in front of them and address them in the appropriate manner. “Your Highness” or “Your Majesty” are the most common.
You can also refer to them by their titles:
Ifresir (the Emperor)
Ifresija (the Emperor’s wife or mother)
Ifresija Prisis (an Empress ruling on her own)
Ifreya ( for the Princess, either the Emperor’s sister or his daughter)
Ifrey (for the Prince, the Emperor’s younger brother or younger son)
Ifrey Prisis ( for the Emperor’s oldest son and heir)
Aefling (for a royal consort, the husband of a ruling Ifresija, as he is not of royal blood he can’t be addressed as Ifresir. He is just her spouse and the father of her children).

Rules of Court Etiquette

1. Only members of the Imperial family are permitted to call the Emperor by his first name. Everyone else must refer to him by his title. His mistresses may call him as they wish when inside his private chambers and the palace gardens. When appearing with him at any public event they must address him as Ifresir or “Your Majesty’.

2. It is considered rude and improper for an Ifresija to feed her children in public. A nanny or wet-nurse will be should be used for this purpose.

I am currently editing the story and I hope to publish it at some point in the future, possibly next year.

For now can check out the cover art by Rose Goga https://twitter.com/GogaRose_