Austina of Aldersberg

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"The Duel Countess" by Stefaniya de Sarkozy, c.1904
Austina of Aldersberg

Duchess-Consort of Adria
Tenure: 1903 - 1914
Predecessor: Charlotte of Aldersberg
Successor: Klara Miray
Countess of Aldersberg
Tenure: 1909 - 1914
Predecessor: Edward Clement, Count of Aldersberg
Successor: Cressida of Aldersberg & Markus, Duke of Adria
Countess-Consort of Veletzia
Tenure: 1897 - 1914
Predecessor: Founded
Successor: Klara Miray
Baroness of Aldersberg
Tenure: 1888 - 1904
Predecessor: Alexander Leopold Novellen-Aldersberg
Successor: Title Dissolved

Born: 11th of Owyn’s Flame, 1876, Johannian Hall, County of Aldersberg, Kingdom of Oren
Death: 8th of Harren’s Folly, 1914, Velec, Adria
Spouse: Heinrik, Duke of Adria m. 1897
Issue: 4
House: House of Aldersberg
Father: Edward Clement, Count of Aldersberg
Mother: Anne of Sunholdt

Austina of Aldersberg (13th of Tobias' Bounty, 1876 - 8th of Harren’s Folly, 1914), otherwise monikered Austina, The Affluent was a member of the imperial branch of Novellen-Aldersberg. She was the only daughter of Edward Clement, Count of Aldersberg, and his wife, Anne of Sunholdt. Upon her eldest brother's passing, she would inherit the title Baroness of Aldersberg and subsequently brought glory back to her dying family lineage through her marriage to the Duke of Adria, Heinrik Otto, in 1897, and in 1903 the promotion of her families Barony to its former County.

Biography

Early Life

Austina Prudence Novellen-Aldersberg was born in the family home Johannian Hall on the eve of the 13th of Tobias' Bounty in 1876 to the Count of Aldersberg and his faithful consort, Anne of Sunholdt. She was named after her parental great-grandmother, Anne I, as well as taking her mother's favorite adjective as a middle name. Her lineage was complex, sharing paternal great-grandparents due to her mother's incestuous family as well as descending from three rulers of the Holy Oreanian Empire.

At the time, Austina was the youngest child of the Count and Countess of Aldersberg, with two older brothers, and was regarded as yet another fair-haired Aldersbergian child. She especially resembled her parental aunt, Georgiana Maria, with her father having been quoted stating how "her tresses just as platinum, and her eyes just as inquisitive."

"The Lady Prudence" by Swanhilda de Owynsburg, c.1879

Furthermore, her birth brought the already turbulent home life some peace. Her brothers, senior respectively by nine and two years, had faced their parents bickering often which left them at silent odds around the home for years. Once Austina was born, however, this changed. The family seemed to forgive each other for past grievances and find ways to move on.

Her early childhood was spent away from the courts in the Orenian countryside of Almaris, mostly due to her father's stress about the changing political states and the girl's likelihood of sickness. He had watched many of his sisters and aunts rot from unnamed ailments, all facing tragically slow deaths respectively. This fear, along with the demotion of the family of Aldersberg to merely a Barony, sent Edward into deep emotional turmoil which was only resolved by his disappearance in 1880 when Austina was merely six.

From thereon, Austina's education and health were entrusted to her mother who took a harsher form of schooling. Although the extent of the abuse is unknown, the girl was commonly found with numerous bruises and sprained wrists. This affected the way she would raise her own daughters almost 20 years after the fact, considering herself a very well-rounded individual and how the tactics seemed to work well.

Following the victory of the Eastern Almaris Treaty, the family of Aldersberg would see their estate turned to rubble and their title landless. Austina would blame her brothers insolence, finding ways to undermine him whenever she could. Her mother, very against chaos, would have the adolescent Austina sent to the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska, writing to her former Carrington cousin, Amadea of Susa, and imploring her to take Austina in as a ward. The Queen-Consort was unsure at first, but quickly made room for the Aldersbergian child upon noting the state of the Orenian lifestyle.

No longer under the strict thumb of her mother, Austina finally had the chance to form friendships and pursue her own passions. Noteworthyingly, she'd befriended Manon Yvaine, Baroness of Verskaya, and her distant cousin Viorica Irena, Countess of Jerovitz. As a ward from her previous society, the girl would adapt quickly. Her perfectionist upbringing and fondness for history set her above the other warding girls, being given the task of compiling the biographies of Princess Royals throughout the history of Hanseti-Ruska. By the age of 11, she had finished the task and formally published her first collection of feminine biographies in 1884 [1]. Thereafter, she would offer guidance to the other ladies in her cohort, even writing a few more biographies on the Grand Ladies of Haense, but those were never published.

As Baroness of Aldersberg

Austina would inherit the Barony of Aldersberg after the tragic loss of her eldest brother and the disappearance of her other brother. Her predecessor, Alexander Leopold, would lose his head from a bandit on the road in 1888 on his way to propose courtship to Princess Octavia Helen Novellen, which left no heirs other than herself. The title was fairly lost at this point, her brother having forfeited their land and influence over the old Orenian lords, so Austina, though titled, stayed within the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska. In an attempt to regain what was lost, she would plead with the lords of Haense to recognize her title, but she was merely 14 and no grown man took her seriously enough to even consider allowing her into their ranks.

So, as she had done before, she would begin writing in order to relieve herself from the stress of being the Baroness of Nowhere. In 1889, she would publish a collection of biographies of her ancestors, impressing some, but most continued on overlooking her. She then threw herself into recollecting, analyzing, and publishing detailed drawings and descriptions of the fairly vast collection of Aldersbergian jewelry. Some notable pieces within the collection were the Furnestock Tiara, worn by Empress Julia, and the Elizabethan Diadem, which belonged to Princess Imperial Elizabeth Anne.

Finally, the news of Austina's inheritance of the title reached her mother's ears, who had been vacationing in Ba'as since her husband's death, and decided to trek to Karosgrad to offer guidance to her only daughter. Her guidance, of course, was to marry and to marry well and fast. Anne would plot within the courts of the Morrivi Palace, setting her eyes on the young Valdemar Baruch, heir to the Duchy of Valwyck. Through careful schemes and planned outings, Anne and Austina would attempt to persuade Duchess Isabel and Valdemar himself into marriage, however, Austina could never get close enough to the young suitor to see any success.

Debut into Society

A portrait of Austina's debut outfit at Lifstala c.1889

Austina would debut in the fifth Haeseni Social Season, named Ve Lifstala, in 1890, when she was at the mere age of 14. She was much too young to properly debut, but her attendance was considered mandatory by her meddling mother who desired her daughter to be on the marriage market swiftly. Austina felt disconnected from the trials and tribulations of Lifstala, seeing it as a loss of her family's cultural debutante balls which she desired more than anything having read about how they introduced a lady into society as a woman and no longer a child. The idea of having a mass presentation of the ladies felt like a horse show, proclaiming to her cousin, Viorica, on multiple occasions her innate desire to not attend.

Nevertheless, she was the 5th to present themselves before the Queen, Princess Royal, and the Grand Lord. Her gown was made of pastel yellows with delicate floral designs and a large royal red cape. Atop her head was the Tiara of Furnestock, her most prized possession. Yet, as gracefully as she waltzed down the aisle, her discussion at the end of the carpet ended with failure. As Austina curtsied to the Queen and her companions, Princess Royal, Analiesa Josefina, would ask her about her plans if she were to marry high above her station. This was a jab at the budding girl who had just days earlier confessed to the Princess her desire to be a Duchess and the oracle's reading of her future which indicated a high likelihood of a grand marriage. Reportedly, Austina would give a rather simple answer which displeased the Princess enough to send the dias into silence. The awkwardness of the situation put her name in gossip papers nationwide, leaving her no choice but to end her wardship under the Queen and leave the Kingdom immediately to protect her family's honor.

At the same time, her older brother, Arthur Marie, who had been missing for some time, would announce his engagement to a woman who was shortly disowned by her family. The scandals surrounding this era not only marked the downfall of the line of Aldersberg but the downfall of Austina herself.

Vanishing to Petra

Austina would pack her bags as the opening ball of Lifstala commenced, leaving in the cover of the night alongside her mother who planned to return to Ba'as. Using her Novellen connections, she would be rehomed as the secretary to Miss Yvaine Beitris within the Archduchy of Petra. There, she'd learn to live a life unkept by the nature of etiquette or fashions. The nature of farmland brought her peace, having commented to Miss Yvaine on a multitude of occasions just how comforting it was being so close to a lake, the fresh air, and the open sky.

While Austina preferred the comforts of her cabin, away from the capital of the Archduchy, she would visit periodically to purchase ink, paper, and collect parcels for Yvaine. During these brief visits, she'd become acquainted with the population, befriending Ser Emir d’Abbassia and his sister, Livia. The knight would see potential in her, noting to the Archduke, Paul Salvian, that she would make a good knight alongside the other orders. The Duke was desperate to find a leader for his vision of a circle of dames to accompany his circles of knights. She would accept, beginning her journey alongside Emir to become a shieldmaiden. One notable mission was when she, Emir, Livia, and their collective friend Cliement Halcourt traveled to the lands of Elvenesse to conquer a stone tower that had once belonged to one of Emir's relatives. It took her almost two years of rigorous training before she was worthy of the title. Her ceremony to be knighted was on a pleasantly warm afternoon atop the ruins of Garmont. Paul granted her the moniker "The Affluent" because of her abundantly selfless nature, however later in her life, the meaning of the moniker was because of how rich she had become.

Now a Shieldmaiden, she'd begin to draft up the ceremonies, traditions, and training of her ladies. Austina held a close connection to the Saint Emma, having been baptized under her name. So, the knight circle was named The Circle of Saint Emma. In 1892, she'd publish the first constitution of the circle and begin to train wards. Under her, the circle thrived with culture, and many famous Dames of the Circle of Saint Emma were trained as wards with her attentiveness. Furthermore, this process brought her closer to Ser Emir, having been almost engaged to the knight. However, in a tragic twist of fates Emir would be married off to a woman of foreign nationality as a favor for the Archduke. Austina was left in the wreckage, feeling weaker than ever as she once more lost. She'd briefly considered an engagement to Cliement for Yvaine was his cousin by marriage, but that fell through after his disappearance.

This did not worry her for long though, for her time as a prominent figure within the Archduchy came to a sudden halt as her childhood illnesses began to recure. She'd be bound to a sickbed for up to a year, traveling very little. At one point, the sickness got so detrimental that Austina would draft a will that bestowed the title of Baroness of Aldersberg and all the relics in the trusted hands of her cousin, Viorica Ruthern.

Marriage & Family

A Portrait of Austina and Heinrik c. 1900

WIP

Far before Austina had become Baroness of Aldersberg or ever became interested in marriage, she would get a palm reading by her cousin Viorica. The Ruthern bastard had a special talent for telling the future, having predicted many other future relationships. Austina, although not one to believe such mysticisms, allowed Viorica to read her palm. What it told her surprised and delighted the eager adolescence. Her cousin spoke of how she would marry a man of high rank and nobility and they would be very fair with each other, but only if she treated the man as her equal.

As time passed, Austina would hold onto this fortune, allowing it to guide her through attempts at marriage with Valdemar Baruch to her engagement to Cliement Halcourt. After three failed courtships and her illness took over, she'd finally give up on this dream of hers. However, fate was not done with her yet. In the late summer evenings of 1895, Yvaine brought the simple yet ambitious Heinrik Sarkozic to her door. He had come in search of a scribe and instead found a frail and forgotten woman in a cabin by a lake. He took sympathy for her, visiting frequently to check on her health and bring food. As they talked further, they found themselves smitten.

--- They would wed in 1897 in a private ceremony registered by Heinrik's cousin, High Pontiff Pontian IV, with her mother, Anne of Sunholdt, as a witness to the service. Austina wore the same wedding gown as her mother, which she was gifted by her husband who was granted the gown by Amadea of Pomp. Together, they would move to the capital of Aaun so that Heinrik could continue his service to the crown and she as the new Countess of Veletzia.

Duchess of Adria

WIP

Heinrik was first elected duke in 1896 before the pair were married, but due to certain disagreements, it was considered void. As the people readied up for another election, Austina would be aiding in the completion of the Castle Saint Emalyne and the beginnings of the City of Velec. She would also give birth to her first child, Suzana Otta, in 1902 after a tragic accident pertaining to her husband's kidnapping. Austina would blame Heinrik for Suzana's sickly condition, putting the first strains on their marriage.

"The Duchess of Adria" by Stefaniya de Sarkozy c.1911

In 1903, as Austina was pregnant with her husband's second child, the fourth Dumapalooza was hosted in the kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska. There, Heinrik was elected duke for a second time and this time, it was official. Viorica had been correct. As they returned to Veletiza, they were met with thunderous applause and adoring Adrians waiting earnestly for their home to be returned to them. Later that year, Viktor Stefan was born followed by two more between the years of 1904-1906. As a mother, she was strict and would punish both of her daughters heavily for any minor missteps.

- Went on to write the biographies for the duchesses of Adria - Began to write the duke of Adria's biographies, but passed before such could be completed - Began a wardship program where she fostered many young Adrian lady's hobbies. (Lorena and Lemons, Wilhelmina and painting) - Collected more tiaras - Played matchmaker between Princess Anna and Count Sigismond and Count Jan and her niece, Cressida - Declining marriage - Barony of Aldersberg raised to a County

Death and Legacy

Austina's health began to decline in the early 1910s, being put on forced bedrest along with her eldest daughter, Suzana. This time was hard on her and the people of Adria who felt abandoned by the Duchess for little knew of her true ailments. For almost four years, she would battle feverishly but to no avail. In a last-ditch effort, she would open the walls of Castle Saint Emalyne for guests. During this period, she would learn of her husband's ill intentions and adultery as she lay in bed sick. This sent her into a frenzy where she would stab him in the arm in front of guests before fainting from exhaustion.

"The Garden" by Stefaniya de Sarkozy c.1914

Austina would never wake after this, being pronounced dead in the midnight hours of the 8th of Harren’s Folly, 1914. She had succumbed to her lifelong battle with Leukemia, leaving little to no instructions. Her title as Countess of Aldersberg and relics would pass to her only known relative, Cressida of Aldersberg, and her belongings would be sold.

Titles and Styles

1872 - 1888 Her Ladyship, Austina of Aldersberg
1888 - 1892 The Right Honorable, Austina, Baroness of Aldersberg
1892 - 1897 The Right Honorable, Dame Austina 'The Affluent', Baroness of Aldersberg, Shieldmaiden of the Circle of Saint Emma
1897 - 1903 Her Excellency, Dame Austina 'The Affluent', Baroness of Aldersberg, Countess-Consort of Veletzia
1903-1914 Her Grace, The Duchess of Adria

Full Style as Duchess consort of Adria

Her Grace, Dame Austina 'The Affluent', Countess of Aldersberg, Duchess-Consort of Adria, Countess-Consort of Veletzia, Dame of the Circle of Saint Emma, Mistress of Castle Saint Emalyne

Issue

Name	Birth	Death	Marriage
Suzana Otta, Countess of Emalyne	15th of the Sun’s Smile, 1901	Alive	Hans Carolus Suzecht	Firstborn child of Heinrik and Austina. Born two months early due to stress on the mother which resulted in a lifetime of sickness. Titled Countess of Emalyne in 1919 by her father.
Viktor Stefan Sarkozic	6th of Owyn's Flame, 1903	1916	Unwed	Secondborn child of Heinrik and Austina, died in the Adrian Rebellion.
Markus, Duke of Adria	8th of Owyn's Flame, 1904	Alive	Oksana of Verskaya	Thirdborn child of Heinrik and Austina. Recognized as Count of Aldersberg in 1919 as part of an ongoing dispute with Cressida of Aldersberg. Elected as the Duke of Adria in 1933.
Kzenia Adriata Sarkozic	20th of Horen's Calling, 1906	Alive	Odo James d'Amaury	Fourthborn child of Heinrik and Austina.