Andromeda of Ba'as
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Andromeda Ester (Common: Anna Esther), regally known as Andromeda of Ba'as was the third Queen-Consort of Balian through her marriage to Adrian I, King of Balian in 1920. Andromeda was the first Queen of Balian that held a public presence in the courts of Monterosa and the Kingdom itself. She was the daughter of a powerful matriarch, the first Ba'as had ever seen, which in turn played a role in the way she enacted policies as Queen. Furthermore, she would also bare the first female heir to the kingdom and aid in the addition of more woman being added to the royal government.
Contents
Biography
Early Life
Andromeda Ester Rostampur was born on the 5th of Sun’s Smile, 1896, to at the time, Princess Daria Rostampur and her husband, Lord Vasilis Lyraide. She was the second daughter of the royal couple, boasting an older brother and sister at the time of her arrival. Andromeda was named after the ruins of the kingdom of Seventia, an ancient tale her father had adored.
In her youth, she was known as being the brightest of her siblings, bringing much joy to the small, but loving, princely family. Her great-grandfather, Balthazar, Prince of Ba’as, doted on each sector of his family and attended to their every need, taking a special interest in both Andromeda and her older sister Asria. Both girls were taught the traditions of their Rhenyari culture and ways to honor it in daily life. More often than not, Andromeda was towing behind the Prince to political gathers or other occasions of note.
However, tragedy struck in 1900 when Andromeda’s brother, Archaes, would venture far beyond the safety of Ba’as and was cursed by the villainous Rudran Samraaj. The Rudran was a sorcerer of some strength and had already been brewing trouble for the principality, but the death of a prince was seen as a heinous act and a war soon began. Ba’as, although rich with culture and traditions, had little to no military to back the battles and began to lose territory. In a last-ditch effort, Theophilus Saffar, the second vizier to the Prince of Ba’as, would send a letter to the Kingdom of Balian. The said letter would plead with the Almaris superpower for military aid against Samraaj, but in turn, promised a crown princess of the principalities family as a wife for the future monarch of Balian.
An agreement was arranged in 1902 and ships of men were sent to the coastline of Ba’as, protecting any further damage and eventually winning the war in 1903. However, for Andromeda, her entire life would change. Balthazar would retire from his station as Prince of Ba’as, allowing his granddaughter, Daria, to inherit. Thus, Andromeda and her sister were both crown princesses.
A majority of her education now focused on preparing both girls for not only potential rulership but the vast journey across the sea to Balian to fulfill such duties. It was decided that after Archaes death that Asria would be the heir to Ba’as after her mother, which left the sole duty of marriage for an alliance with Andromeda at the mere age of 7. Her life became a whirlwind of wardships, lectures, and meetings in which she would follow her mother and Asria to.
Andromeda struggled with the sudden influx of responsibilities, having never been explained as to why she had such a vital role in her people’s well-being other than it was her duty. However, as she grew, she began to take this duty very seriously. Through sheer dedication, she would become a master in politics, religious, cultural practices, and court structuring. Little room was left for anything else other than enacting her family's plans for her.
Move to Balian
Andromeda would venture across the sea and far from the principality of Ba’as in 1912 along with her older sister, Asria, to fulfill a promise made long ago. She had been preparing for this day for over nine years, and on the boat ride over was said to be full of vigor, unlike the seasick crew. Her life's purpose was finally coming to fruition.
When the pair arrived, Asria coming as her chaperone, they were met with little joviality nor celebration. Simply the Princess Royal, Elena Casimira, and her mother Yelena of Marsana, Queen of Balian. This was untraditional compared to other great alliances found through marriage and Andromeda was left disappointed and worried. The Rhenyari pair were brought to the Monterosa palace and told to settle into their chambers for the evening, but Andromeda was curious and would wander the palace all evening in search of others. Instead, she found locked doors and scurrying servants.
Balian was in the middle of preparing for a canonist alliance against the Duchy of Adria, which allocated little to no attention to the two Ba’as princesses who had just arrived. Asria, angered by the neglect given to her and her sister would barge into a council meeting and demand for a missive to be properly published to let the public know of Andromeda and Hadrian’s engagement.
So, later that very month the announcement was made to the public that they would wed in 1920 following five years of travel that would connect Andromeda to the people of Almaris and Hadrian to her. Many people were awed at her grace and her presence sent shockwaves of inspiration throughout different populations as she was to be the first true-blooded Rhenyari queen ever.
Despite her popularity, she held little in the eyes of her future husband. Hadrian had already been unfaithful since the time of her arrival and once such news became public, Andromeda became resentful. The pair’s relationship would never completely recover from this incident as in private Andromeda would treat Hadrian with repulsion and Hadrian simply had to accept his betrothed's conduct for their engagement was far more than love, it was an alliance.
Andromeda would take up guidance under Princess Augustina, Governess of Monterosa, who aided in filling in the gaps of knowledge for Andromeda in preparation for her time as queen. As a part of the festival of springs coming, she would host her first event known as the Vernal Ball of 1916. She was met with major success and invites from all the noble families to be introduced to their daughters or heirs. Her prominence as the betrothed to the heir was mightier than the Queen’s herself.
Marriage
Following the agreed upon five years of travel, Andromeda and Hadrian would settle together in the capital of Balian as they prepared for their upcoming nuptials. The city was buzzing with life as people from all over Almaris traveled to the heart of the desert kingdom in hopes of catching a glimpse of the royal couple before their marriage.
Andromeda wore a gown of the Balian style, donning hues of proud purple in unison with her husband. They would be wed in the Basilica La Sorella in 1920 and walk down the aisle together as witnesses held up gilded Lorraine crosses behind the couple. In tradition with Balinese weddings, the couple drank from a glass of blessed wine as to represent the future moments shared between husband and wife, both bitter and sweet. In a final act after vows, both planted kisses on the founding stone of King John as a symbolic dedication to Balian.
After the ceremony, a large feast took place with the Balianese Bard College performing for entertainment. Andromeda enjoyed fostering the arts and had requested the Bards herself.
Princess of Monterosa
Through her marriage to the heir of Balian, Andromeda was titled the Princess of Monterosa and began her duties as such with haste. She would briefly aid in the curation of maids and valets under the palace along with the preparations for the second Symposia Pragma. Albeit, it was all under the attentive eyes of Princess Augustina. Andromeda had also been busy elsewhere, expanding her collection of fashions as she was of the strong belief that a well-dressed ruler was a well-respected one.
In 1921, Hadrian and her would foster an heir together, Johanna Casimira, the new Princess of Monterosa and the Duchess of Abretta. The baby was born just weeks after Hadrian's father, Alexander, King of Balian, had died and therefore made Hadrian and Andromeda the new rulers of Balian. Andromeda would not bare another child for six years, leaving Johanna to mature into young adolescence much on her own.
As Queen-Consort of Balian
Titles, Styles, & Honors
Titles & Styles
- 1896-1920: Her Highness, Princess Andromeda Ester of Ba'as
- 1920-1922 Her Royal Highness, Princess Andromeda Ester of Ba'as, Princess of Monterosa
- 1922-Presently Her Royal Majesty, Andromeda of Ba'as, Queen-consort of Balian
Style as Queen-Consort of Balian
HER ROYAL MAJESTY, Andromeda Ester of Ba’as, Queen-consort of Balian, Viscountess of Eflen and Anatis, Baroness of Brucca, Valens, Malenos, Goza and Ciavola. Lady of Atrus and Monterosa, Protector of the Heartlanders and the South, etcetera
Issue
| Name | Birth | Death | Marriage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johanna Casimira, Princess of Monterosa | 13th of the First Seed, 1921 | Alive | Unwed | Firstborn of Andromeda and Adria, heir to the Kingdom of Balian |
