Alright, I suppose I'd better start with the backstory. This "marriage" has always been purely political. My mom was the most power hungry woman I've ever met, and she arranged with her sister to marry me to her son and heir, Peter III. I was only sixteen when we married, but the prospects of being Peter's wife were compelling enough that I swallowed my general abhorrence of the boy I'd known as an obnoxious cousin for the past few years. I've done my best to be a good wife, as my mother raised me to do. I learned the local language and read their classics, and I've been extremely patient with my husband's poor manners, absurd fixations, and abusive treatment of everyone around him.

Now, I don't mean to brag, but I'm a great catch. I'm fluent in three languages, I've studied all the classics and can recite Tacitus by heart (he's my favorite), and I have more knowledge and education in my little finger than Peter has in all his bulbous head. His mother, Elizabeth, couldn't have been more thrilled to have a daughter-in-law like me. Especially after I converted to Orthodoxy, the Empress loved me more than my own witch of a mother ever had.

But my husband, Peter... I fear "idiot " may be too kind a description. Although his blood is noble, his disposition is cruel, his temperament is childish, and his countenance is hideous. For all I have to offer, the man has barely laid eyes on me. Not that I'm complaining, mind you—I'd rather die a virgin than press lips with Peter even once.

When we were living in our first palace outside St. Petersburg, Peter and I mostly kept to ourselves. He had his toy soldiers and slovenly drinking friends, and I had my education, my correspondences, and a hot boyfriend named Sergei. Peter didn't seem to notice or care. Besides, he developed an infatuation with one of my former servant girls, an olive-toned tramp who can barely speak without casting spittle like rain all around herself. He gave her a special palace all her own so they could slum around together without offending me and the other decent people at Oranienbaum. It wasn't the best arrangement, but it worked for a while.

My boyfriend and I were really happy, and we had a couple of handsome children, who I told everyone are Peter's (obviously). Peter was happy to claim our first child, Paul, but consigned me to hell after the birth and subsequent death of our precious Anna. He blamed her death on me for being promiscuous! Can you believe that? As he himself laid with a woman too plump and listless to carry my cape?! That was three years ago, and I've spent much of my time since then locked in my boudoir, just to spare myself Peter's nastiness. Of course, I can still hear him playing his ridiculous toy soldier games and "drills" at all hours. Even the servants avoid the brute as much as they can get away with.

The real problems started few months ago when my loving mother-in-law, Empress Elizabeth, died and left Peter in charge. I've been patient these months, waiting to see my husband rise to his new title and encouraging become a true leader, but I've only been disappointed. He still plays his toy soldier games and runs ridiculous drills; the only difference is he now has a true army to command. Noble bloodline, be damned! He fawns over despots the Empress's armies railed against and moves to make of war on one of our oldest allies. In the past week or so, I've even heard rumors that Peter plans to exile me to some frigid nunnery and crown his porkly lover as Empress Consort!

Unlike my husband, I am neither indolent nor entitled; I have previously considered what I might do if Peter threatened my position in this manner. You see, nobody, save one pompadoured hog and a few obsequious dukes, NOBODY likes Peter. But me? I'm a real catch, and the people of this kingdom just adore me. They find me beautiful, my accent distinguished, and my breadth of knowledge equal or superior to many men. (Speaking of men, I have a few who adore me and see things my way...)

All my life, I've studied great rulers and grand philosophies. I've been studying the enlightened authors of western Europe, and I love to explore ideas about philosophy and politics with my true friends and lovers. My friends and education have convinced me that I am a great leader, separated from my rightful place at the throne by ancient convention and a fool of a husband. Of course, Peter hates me for my friendships with politically enlightened people, even going so far as to call my friends traitors and accuse me of conspiring with them against him. What he doesn't know is that many of my friends are well-connected, and that I have garnered the political (and military) support of more factions than Peter knows to exist. All I have to do is ask for their protection, and all of Peter's power, including the military, can be mine.

Today, I received word that one of my compatriots was arrested on my husbands orders. I had hoped to bring Peter around by gentle cajoling, but I see now the only way to save me, my friends, and the kingdom itself may be to exile him and have myself crowned as regent Empress. I probably won't have Peter III killed or anything; after all, I plan to be an enlightened ruler. I will modernize this kingdom and raise its reputation like nobody since Peter the Great has been able to do.

So Reddit, WIBTA if I carry out my plan to exile my jerk of a husband and rule Russia as a single lady?

P.S. I will definitely ruin the ugly mistress's life and put my favorite boy toys in charge of like, everything. Might even free the serfs if I'm feeling cute.

TLDR: I'm just a poor Prussian princess with big ideas, but a bad man is keeping me down, and I just wanna have fun & rule the kingdom my way but he probably won't move out unless I become Empress of Russia and force him to scram.