Adela of Helena

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Adela Pieta
Imperial Princess of Holy Oren
the horned woman.jpg
Court painting of the Duchess of Alba.
Abbess of Saint Jude
Tenure: 1737-1737
Predecessor: Saint Humbert
Successor: Anna of Alstion
Duchess of Alba
Reign: 1725- 1737
Predecessor: Amelia Horen
Successor: Charles II
Born: 5th of Sigismund's End, 1718, Helena, Renatus, Holy Orenian Empire
Tonsured: 3rd of Malin's Welcome, 1737 Reza, Hanseti-Ruska
Died: 9th of the Sun's Smile, 1737 Reza, Hanseti-Ruska
House: Alstion
Father: John Horen
Mother: Vivienne d'Amaury

Adela Pieta (High Imperial: Adela Pieta), formally known as Julia Adelaide of the House of Alstion, was the last daughter, and child, of the Prince John of Alstion, and his consort, Vivienne d'Amaury. She was the younger sister of the infamous Adeline of Alstion, who unofficially seized control of the Empire during wartime in her husband's absence. During her youth, she was made Princess Imperial for but a Saint's Day, before her elder brother's reign was brought to an end.

During her nineteenth name year, she joined the Judite sisterhood and became the Abbess of Saint Jude, after singlehandedly urging the beatification of her sister.

Early Years

Julia was born at the Palace of Rubrummagnus in Helena to Prince John of Alstion and his wife, Vivienne of Ardennes. At the time of her birth, her older sister Princess Adeline was three years into her tenure as the Renatian Empress.

The Conclusion of War

As the Princess was in her infancy when the strife of war sobered, its effects began to take its toll upon her family. While her eldest siblings, Princes Charles and Henry, remained in their native land of Aeldin, young Julia was confined in the Palace's depths—her direct family, alongside the servantry, being those who were privy to her presence. During this time, she made daily visits to the Imperial Chapel and often spoke to the clergymen residing there. She explicitly fancied the doctrines of Canonism, studying them overtly. It is even attested by her maidservants that, upon her sixth nameday, the Alstion purchased an aurum chaplet and would don it everywhere—habitually referencing religious texts in casual conversation.

Julia only grew closer to her sister during the years leading to her husband's abdication, in which the Dowager-Empress and she would traverse Orenian roads with impish endeavors. In once instance, she and Godfrey II's sister, Princess Lorena, accompanied Adeline to a diplomatic trip to Ves, where they were both acquainted with High Pontiff Daniel VI.

Not three years afterward, the newly elevated John VII decreed that the Imperial Monarchy would be hereby dissolved, endangering her family's position in Orenian Court. An aghast John Alexander would depart the Court for Rubern, whilst her mother Vivienne and Dowager-Empress Adeline would depart for Alba, a voyage that would lead to their grisly demise. Julia was only reassured of greatness to come, a notion that bemused her greatly. Nevertheless, it seemed their words bade a semblance of verity, as her brother Charles I would return from Aeldin to ascend to the role of Holy Orenian Emperor, albeit briefly, in 1725.

As Duchess of Alba

Both her brother and Adrian I, Holy Orenian Emperor settled in favor of another contestant to the throne—her presumed uncle, Alexander II, Holy Orenian Emperor. In the process of her brother being granted patriarchy of the Alstion line, Julia was bestowed the Duchy of Alba, becoming its third regnant Duchess—succeeding the ilk of her ancestresses, Empress Elizabeth and Princess Amelia of Alstion.

'Princess Julia, Duchess of Alba' Commissioned by Alexander II, 1729.


Whilst the grand majority of her immediate relatives were elated to have the Johannian legacy restored once more, the nine-year-old Duchess heavily contested the idea of his matrilineal descent of House Marna, citing Empress Adeline's contempt for their treacherous behavior. Regardless, she was forced to assimilate in favor of her mentor Vespira Helane's teachings.

It was not too long until her frenzied tales were recognized as the bride her grandfather had taken, Cesarina of Marna's, licentious patterns were revealed in Imperial Court, and her pregnancy with Laertes de Falstaff made a public affair. Amidst the tumult, Cesarina was stabbed by the Baroness Selm.

Shortly thereafter, Alexander II met his demise, and the Orenian Protectorate under Adrian de Sarkozy was established. A time of worry for the Alstion, who were now beneath their rival claimant, Julia and her brother were urged to consider their heirship, prompting Julia to secure a match with Magdalena Helane, daughter to the last Emperor of Man, Antonius I. Now eighteen, Julia resigned to conform to the newly risen Sarkozic administration, made an Orenian Diplomat and law student.

Abbess of Saint Jude and Death

Her pleas for the beautification of her sister came to fruition, as in 1727, Adeline was made Venerable by Canonist doctrine. Such reaffirmed Julia's inclination toward the religious, and but a Saint's Day afterward, she took her vestal vows and assumed the name Adela Pieta, abandoning her ties and positions without qualm.

For her astuteness, the Pontiff John I made the nineteen-year-old Abbess of Saint Jude. It is said that upon her ascension, Julia invoked her sister's name, decreeing her efforts were not in vain. However, her tenure would be short-lived.

A month into her tenure, the Abbess encountered her brother, who had been resigned to shock when he caught wind of her appointment. After a lamentful exchange, the pair resolved to remain in contact, having issued several letters to each other of their ordeals.

But several days after having last spoken to Charles, Mother Adela was privy to the destruction of the former Haeseni Capital, scourged by blistering flames and hoards of fiendish beasts. Aiding in the shepherding of people within their Abbey, she was unable to breach the exit in time before the church was infested by the harbingers of destruction. Reports noted Julia knelt before the dais, seemingly in peaceful reverie but moments prior to her demise. She died on the 9th of Snow's Maiden, 1737.

Titles, Styles, and Honors

Titles and Styles

  • 1718-1721: Her Imperial Highness, Princess Julia of Alstion
  • 1720-1725: Lady Julia of House Alstion
  • 1725-1725: Her Imperial Highness, The Princess Julia
  • 1725-1737: Her Highness, Princess Julia Adelaide, Duchess of Alba
  • 1737-1737: The Reverent Abbess Mother Adela Pieta

Full title as Duchess of Alba

Her Grace, Julia Adelaide of House Alstion, 5th Duchess of Alba

Issue

Name Birth Death Marriage Notes