softlyopulent-if

[softlyopulent-if]

HEY important, but there's a site called Citron Games which have been taking games off itch.io and uploading it to their site and claiming they're the publisher/copyright holder of them!

I've seen a lot of vns on there from devs I know/follow, but I've also seen some IFs on there as well.

I'd recommend checking the site to make sure your game isn't on there and if it is, issuing a DMCA takedown!

[softlyopulent-if]

Guys! This is a very odd question, but do you know any IFs that are written in third person? Like I feel like that would be very interesting, but I don’t know if it would take people out of the experience 🤔 I don’t think it would for me

[softlyopulent-if]

THE CRUEL PALACE (Court Intrigue IF)

Being born into a noble family is a blessing to most. For you, it became a sentence.

When false accusations threaten to destroy your family, you're forced into a dangerous decision: enter the royal palace as a concubine to prove your family's loyalty and protect their name. But life behind palace walls is nothing like the noble life you knew. It’s a world ruled by secrets, schemes, and power plays—where trust is rare, and betrayal is everywhere.

As the child of a respected civil official, your fate was supposed to be different. Now, you're caught in the middle of court politics, royal jealousy, and the lingering scandal left behind by your mother. The only way to survive is to play the game and win.

Will you rise through the ranks and gain the Emperor’s favour? Or will you lose yourself in the cruelty of palace life?

Your choices will decide your future, your family's honour, and the legacy you leave behind.

Key Features:

Play as male or female, and shape how the world sees you—from your looks to your personality.

Make choices that matter—every decision affects your future and your family’s fate.

Explore life in the royal palace, filled with secrets, lies, and unexpected allies.

Build or break relationships with other concubines, servants, nobles, and even the Emperor.

Choose who you trust—and who you love—romance the Emperor, a fellow concubine, a sharp maidservant, or a rising military officer.

Balance duty and desire—stay loyal to your family, or chase your own path to power.

Uncover the truth behind your family's downfall and your mother's scandal.

DEMO Approx 11k words

[softlyopulent-if]

Wait if magic is limited and MC can’t learn it does that mean they don’t have any ?

And if that is the case how will the whole “Queen dying at birth because MC has TOO much magic” work ?

The queen died during childbirth. That’s just what happened—no magic, no nothing.

The newer magic system will be a little different. No one is able to use magic unless they pay a great price. Astrite, for instance, can use magic because he’s paid this price.

I do have the idea where MC may be able to do this in certain parts of the story, but they won't be able to just use it.

[softlyopulent-if]

Want to pop in to say how excited I am to have you back!!! I absolutely loved ur story and characters and the general aesthetic and can't wait to see what you've got in store for us!

All support to u author, hope things work out!<3

Thank you so much!!!

Another sneak peek ✊

[softlyopulent-if]

Okay guys! The poll is over, and it’s decided! As soon as the rewritten version of the prologue and chapter one is finished and coded I’ll be releasing it! And, as a sneak peek…

[softlyopulent-if]

In regards to making A always the opposite gender, I personally always prefer gender selectable RO's because as wlw there's already kinda slim pickings compared to f/m. However! I also 100% support you as the author getting to tell the story in your heart the way you want. So all that to say if you would like the story to have A be the opposite gender then thats what you should do^^ I would hate to see your creativity suffer because you're not getting to tell the story you'd envisioned. Good luck and I can't wait to read the rewrite, also very happy you've returned because the story was so good <3

No, I understand! I’m wlw myself and I understand you completely! I think this story can stay as it is. Once it’s finished, I may try my hand at another with characters with set genders! But Softly, Opulent should stay as it is, I think.

[softlyopulent-if]

onnn the gender question- how would astirate (??? i cant remember his name) change based on MCs gender if youre able to share?

I’ve made the decision to keep the story mostly the same to keep everyone comfortable! But Astrite would stay the same no matter what—he’s a true weirdo down to his core.

[softlyopulent-if]

I’ve heard you guys loud and clear! A will remain the same. Pronouns will also remain the same! I want everyone to be comfortable and I don’t mind cutting that part of the story to do that! Those two parts of the story won’t change! <3

What To Expect Going Forward:

Rewrite: First and foremost, I’m going to be rewriting Softly, Opulent. I have much improved in the time since that first demo dropped, and I’m going to rewrite it to show it. Along with the rewrite, some things in the story will be tweaked:

Characters: Some characters are going through a rework. I had an idea for their stories that’s changing now. The ROs will be tweaked just a bit too—but don't worry, they’ll keep those basic traits that they have already.

Magic System: This won’t be a drastic change with what I have in the demo. But there is some mention of Dalia having magic in chapter one. It’s very brief, but I’m taking it away. There is also an option in the intro post to learn magic but that’s not going to be an option anymore. Magic will still exist in the world, but be much more restricted and only a few select characters will use it. That’s because all magic comes with a price, in the words of Rumpelstiltskin and all that.

Rating: The story is going to be 18+ now. It’s not a really big change, but the reasons for this is simple: there will be sexually explicit content and more in this rewrite, while the plan was only suggestive content before.

Redesign: The itch.io page will be going through an update, and so will the intro post here on tumbler. I will make an updated intro post with the updated info soon. More importantly, the UI of the story itself is going through a rework too.

Pronouns: I want the MC to be more grounded in the world. Gender roles will be more prominent. I’m adding a transgender option instead, if that’s something that people aren’t against. I’m not sure about the non-binary option. I wanted to remove the option to have that choice in the very beginning. Let me know if it’s something you guys want to have as a choice later on (when MC is in a healthier environment), as it’ll take into account whether MC is AFAB or AMAB. (If this makes sense.)

A. I’m on the fence about making A’s gender the opposite of MC no matter what. Let me know if everyone would hate that. I'm only considering this because I wanted to have homophobia be a factor in some stories. But I’m willing to do away with that if everyone wants A’s gender to be their choice.

I think I’ve covered roughly everything. I know this is a lot to take in and I hope it isn’t a deal breaker for some people. The foundation of the story will remain the same!

[softlyopulent-if]

hi <3 softly opulent is my favorite story ever and i can't wait!

i would like to share my opinion on the gender part of your post but i hope i don't come off as intrusive. everything sounds exciting.

even with gender role situation, would it be possible to play gender non conforming? or trans/nonbinary in a way that retain similar mechanic to the initial release. the separation of pronoun/gender/presentation initially was so special to me, and pretty rare too.

godspeed

If it would make everyone feel better—I may have mentioned this before—an option to toggle on and off would work. I don't want to take away anything anyone enjoys!

[softlyopulent-if]

If A's gender is the opposite, how would it affect trans MCs? If they were a trans man, would A be a woman or be a man and vice versa? While I'm okay with nonbinary not being an option in the very beginning, will it still be available for trans MCs and players??

Good question. It will be!!

For example, my idea is this: MC has never seen different pronouns before. When they go to this new kingdom and discover them they realize it fits them the most.

As for A: I wanted MC’s gender to play more of a part. If MC is a trans man, A would be a woman. Depending on what MC identifies as will come into play in the story. So if MC and A can’t have children it’ll be a bit like a special situation because of the alliance.

I think I’m going to make it that regardless. I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable, so I probably shouldn’t have put that I was going to change that 😭. No worries everyone

[softlyopulent-if]

It's lovely to have you back! I loved your story and I'm so so happy to be able to read more soon ❤️

Of course! It’s great to be back. I’m so happy that people are still interested in the story after so long!

[softlyopulent-if]

As an enby I would really appreciate it if you did put in a nonbinary option in the rework!! ;w; Your writing is lovely and I've been waiting for updates from this IF ever since I found it, but I just feel a bit too uncomfortable playing as an MC that is forced into binary gender, even if trans is an option. But I am still very excited to see how the story and your writing have improved in this time!! With much love and encouragement and also a nice glass of water -- enby anon

Aye aye! I think I have a pretty good idea on how to do this. Thanks for your input bby!

[softlyopulent-if]

What To Expect Going Forward:

Rewrite: First and foremost, I’m going to be rewriting Softly, Opulent. I have much improved in the time since that first demo dropped, and I’m going to rewrite it to show it. Along with the rewrite, some things in the story will be tweaked:

Characters: Some characters are going through a rework. I had an idea for their stories that’s changing now. The ROs will be tweaked just a bit too—but don't worry, they’ll keep those basic traits that they have already.

Magic System: This won’t be a drastic change with what I have in the demo. But there is some mention of Dalia having magic in chapter one. It’s very brief, but I’m taking it away. There is also an option in the intro post to learn magic but that’s not going to be an option anymore. Magic will still exist in the world, but be much more restricted and only a few select characters will use it. That’s because all magic comes with a price, in the words of Rumpelstiltskin and all that.

Rating: The story is going to be 18+ now. It’s not a really big change, but the reasons for this is simple: there will be sexually explicit content and more in this rewrite, while the plan was only suggestive content before.

Redesign: The itch.io page will be going through an update, and so will the intro post here on tumbler. I will make an updated intro post with the updated info soon. More importantly, the UI of the story itself is going through a rework too.

Pronouns: I want the MC to be more grounded in the world. Gender roles will be more prominent. I’m adding a transgender option instead, if that’s something that people aren’t against. I’m not sure about the non-binary option. I wanted to remove the option to have that choice in the very beginning. Let me know if it’s something you guys want to have as a choice later on (when MC is in a healthier environment), as it’ll take into account whether MC is AFAB or AMAB. (If this makes sense.)

A. I’m on the fence about making A’s gender the opposite of MC no matter what. Let me know if everyone would hate that. I'm only considering this because I wanted to have homophobia be a factor in some stories. But I’m willing to do away with that if everyone wants A’s gender to be their choice.

I think I’ve covered roughly everything. I know this is a lot to take in and I hope it isn’t a deal breaker for some people. The foundation of the story will remain the same!

[softlyopulent-if]

chapter 4 is done

[softlyopulent-if]

Thank you for the writing update, I'm very much looking forward to it!! And, just letting you know — it's wonderful to see you still around, even if it's just through reblogs 💙 I've always been fond of your game, as well as your interactions with your readers. Good luck with everything!

Thank you so much babe! Once I get this rewrite done I really wanna start answering character asks again. Its been a while and the way I wanted the story originally has changed, and the characters have a bit too. I’ll post more detailed about what that means soon! Thank you for the kind words <3

[softlyopulent-if]

OMG!!! I hope you're able to update, because I'd love to read more of Softly, Opulent. It's so well written and such an interesting start to the story. Good luck with everything uni throws at you!

Thank you!!! I will actually have a sneak peek soon 💪