Montpeleón deCorté was born twenty-nine years ago as the fourth son of the third son of a Kedethian noble, which, as he puts it, makes him not a noble at all. By the inheritance laws of Kedeth, he will gain no land, no title, and no means. His father urged him to study law, but Monty (as his friends call him) found it a tedious pursuit. Instead, he attended galas and courtly balls of the noblesse, where he learned the fine art of politics, and the many secrets of the well-connected.
When his father grew tired of spending money on Montpeleón's increasingly carefree life, he sent the young son on a journey of discovery, to the Kedethian Duchy of Alikon, and charged to make a name for himself. This years-long wandering of the countryside was riddled with various stays at lesser-known, spurned, or even infamous taverns, where his ears filled with the rumors of cities and nations and men more successful than him. He squandered several nights in houses of ill-repute, and drank many bottles of cheap wine in an unfocused, aimless ramble. His was a throw-away life, or so he thought.
But others had a different thought, and they rescued him from his growing despair, set him aright, and gave him purpose and meaning. Within months, Montpeleón had found himself on a rapid ascent to worth, both personal and organizational. His benefactors required fealty of him, and he discovered giving such devotion was simple. Easy, really. For several years, Montpeleón served with distinction, right up to the their last requirement: settle in Westmeade, Alikon, and become an elected noble.
With little thought, Montpeleón relocated. After a brief period of acclimating to the pastoral town, he emerged directly into the limelight of Westmeade's noble electorate and established himself as the town's most eligible bachelor, following the ousting of Coletta Barwick from the post. He has served on the Council for a year-and-a-half, providing energy, keen insights, and renewed attention in political affairs, mostly from young and single women.
Montpeleón was never interested in settling down. Indeed, we was not supposed to, but after more than two years of hearing nothing from his benefactors, he began to rather enjoy his position in the country town. But when Cora O'Banion showed up, Montpeleón took notice. Forgetting all that had gone before, he determined to woo the pretty redhead with the bright green eyes.
When Cora got herself in trouble, and then landed a one-year confinement within Westmeade's walls, Montpeleon decided to interrupt her doleful singing on a park bench with a little impromptu harmonization. Eventually, they ended up playing duets, touring the castle, seeing plays, and falling in love. Or, at least, Cora fell in love, practically melting in his arms as he satisfied every longing of her heart. He conducts himself as a gentleman, but whether he is ready to commit remains to be seen.