Thank you for playing Lanyard, and for your many feedback ideas! Apart from the speed up option, I think you're the first to suggest more variations to the Fate Cards. I had thought that the game would feel samey after a few rounds, and you're idea of manipulating more variations, or progressing the story thru the Fate Cards is one idea that work well.
On the accounting guardrails, you are indeed right! I had intended to put in a smaller number marker showing in red, the -XX for upkeep, but I ran out of time to implement it XD. Glad we had the same idea, but you went one step further to link it to the immersion of a castle management situation.
Thank you for your kind words on it being a highlight for you, that makes us very happy :D