[@DegenerateThree][@TheRedWatcher] [s]One idea I had is that maybe both the FT and the SK have common ancestry, going back far enough there would be a proto-snow people (calling them "Wintermen" because I like the name and its from another idea I had). It could be that the SK's people are the Wintermen who decided to settle along the coast of notScandanavia while the FT kept moving inland until they arrived in the mountains where they have stayed. There could even be an old legend among the SK's homeland of a "lost tribe" that was consumed by a blizzard until they all turned to ice which is indirectly referencing the proto-FT and how they were a Winterman tribe who lost contact with the wider culture.[/s]

EDIT: I think that BC below me has a better point and idea. Also on a second review, two people arguing about how they should be the only one with a pure white skin tone because of their ancestors, their blood lineage, environment and irl inspiration isn't a great look ngl. I would personally recommend taking it into account. 

[@John F Kennedy] If you want an extra spicy twist it could be that Inge and House Marietta [i]aren't[/i] on par with the Great Houses but because of politicking and the favor of one of the previous weak kings, they managed to get themselves declared a Great House. A new Great House is rare but not unheard of and it usually involves a house becoming a new archduchy or a duchy becoming very large/power/rich, more so than what Inge currently is. Could be interesting as some other houses might call you an illegitimate Great House or merely a pretender since they dispute the previous king's decision. Could also feed into the ominous reputation of House Marietta with rumors saying that you somehow managed to bewitch the king with witchery or a hag potion into giving you the title.