Duchess Ribra Lynn turns 70

(Year 234, Winter) This year Duchess Ribra Lynn of Rossie celebrates a new life stage. She turned 70, which is traditionally the magic number for becoming an elder. She celebrated with a gala dinner at Rossie Palace in Henford-on-Bagley, joined by family and friends.

Duchess Ribra Lynn turns 70.

Ribra Lynn is consort to the Duke of Rossie, whom she married at 36. They have been a steady couple for three decades, resulting in five handsome young men aged 4 to 32. But she was also the daughter to secure the House of her late father, Robert Thebe, Baron of Myshuno. This made a special twist to her life and is still a mission, as it stopped her from becoming a central member of her husband's Huse of Ross.

She accepted a short birthday interview, few hours before the gala event.

Most residents who keep an eye on aristocracy, think of Duchess Ribra Lynn as the always good looking and well dressed nobless. Even now as an elder, she still looks like pushing 50.

- It must be my genes, because I don't think that I am any more considered with my looks than the average are. Dressing properly came with my growing up, born into a high nobility barony, then married into a dukedom. But, of course, I also found interest in fashion.

Duke Jarret and Duchess Ribra Lynn of Rossie, with sons Lord Magnor (14) and Lord Clempus (4).
The 3 oldest sons not yet arrived. 

Your late father's barony never quite let you go?

- My heart never stopped beating for Myshuno, although Henford-on-bagley is naturally my home now. You know the saying home is where your heart is. Well, in my case it would be something like home is where your five sons are. My heart, though, will always belong to Arts Quarter of San Myshuno.

You were raised at the Fountainview Penthouse?

- It is a different kind of manor, being on top of a tall build in the center of the city, but I and my older sister loved it up there. We had a nice outddors area where we could look down on the tiny people and cars. We were not allowed to play any ball games up there, though. I was 11 when my mother died. She was my father's 2nd wife, and he never remarried.

And then your father died with no male heir?

- His barony was among tose high nobility peerages, that only sons can inherit. It might sound old fashioned, well - in fact it was indeed very old fashioned, both the barony and House of Thebe can be traced back to the nation's very first monarch, King Courtis. The king who reigned for one year, only. Neither of us two daughters were ever in line to the Myshuno barony. With no male heir, an old plan B routine came into play; the peerage could be passed to a grandson via a daughter, if the daughter was still alive. While my older sister Rizhira had no children yet, my little Lord Rainert aged 5 was the only possible successor to the  Myshuno barony. He was of course too young to handle it all, so I, being the new Head of House of Thebe, was allowed to administrate the barony in the waiting of Lord Rainert to grow up. Aged 25 he finally had his investiture.

And all those years you was married to Duke Jarret Ross, but still clinging to your maiden name, Thebe?

- Yes. There is a common rule that a House must have minimum 2 central members, and by switching to Ross I would need to pass on the Head position of House of Thebe to Rainert, and leaving him as the only member. And the old House would go extinct. However, he just got engaged, and as soon as they marry this coming Summer and have their first child, my mission will be fulfilled. Then I will be free to join my husband's House.

Nearly 30 years late?

- Correct. But, in fact it never made much of a difference to our lives. Except from moving back to Arts Quarter to assist Rainert during his first months as baron, I have lived in Henford with my family.

Back in the days when their 4th son was still a toddler. Lord Rainert to the right.

Only four years ago your 5th son was born?

- Well, it would be a lie suggesting it was planned, and to be honest I did not expect to need to hire a Nanny at the age of 66. But wonders happen! My Docor says the birth was a result of socalled story progression. I will never know for sure. Anyway, it was a blessing having a baby in the palace nursery  again.

You also made a difference to other children, awarding you a medal at 53?

- I started the Britechester Waisenhouse, a home for orphans. I was knighted for the Order of the Golden Lion for this. With all my children at home I had to leave the Waisenhouse to other volunteers, but I still pay them a visit occasionally.

Both you and your husband consider yourselves religious?

- Well, His Grace is a strong supporter of the Church of Similius. While I'm not necessarily objecting to his engagement, I' am less involved than him. I'm fine with our contributions, like one of our younger sons going to the Windenburg Monastery when time is right. House of Ross did foster a Priest some generations ago, so we might now seal a tradition. After all, this is the duke's dedicated wish and we have five sons to choose from.

And now the diadems and sashes are well prepared for tonight's party?

- We are throwing a gala dinner followed by a classical concert and perhaps some dancing, too. It will mostly be family and friends, some of them representing the other four dukedoms. Baron Rainert will bring his fiancé, and Lord Robert and Lord Julius taking a couple days off from their boarding schools. It will be splendid having the entire family gather in the palace again. 

Again, happy birthday!

- Thank you so much!