Lisette of Virdian
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Lisette Henriette Ashford de Aryn (Born 1571), commonly known as Lisette of Virdain, is the current Queen-Consort of the Kingdom of Courland, as the wife of Tobias Staunton.
Biography
Early Life & Education
Her father, Lystor Ashford de Aryn, was the second son of Thomas de Aryn, who held the Barony of Virdain within Drusco, a duchy under the Holy Orenian Empire during it's days in Vailor. Born after the destruction of Vailor and their arrival in Axios, Lisette was brought into a family of noble refugees, whom made up the duchy of Savoy. As leal kinsmen and vassals to the House of Ashford de Savoie, the children of House Ashford de Aryn were raised alongside the ducal children and given an education that far outranked their status.
After many years of constant study, Lisette's father sent her to a nunnery to be educated in the ways of the Church. However, rumors spread that Lystor had actually sent his daughter into a sort of exile, for refusing to take part in his plans for her to seduce the current emperor, Philip I. It is known that Lisette often told her cousins, after the fact, of how the nuns beat her until she recited prayers properly, and starved her for days when she spoke out against their harsh teachings. The final straw was when the nuns sent a fellow sister, dressed in noblewomen's silks and claiming to be Lisette, to the capital of Johannesburg in order to preach the Canonist Faith to the children of House Ashford de Savoie. This little scheme was soon found out, and the real Lisette was called back from the nunnery by her father & great-uncle, the now-Baron Bastian de Aryn of Gant.
Marriage
As the only female in her house eligible for marriage, Lisette was sought after by many young lords as a potential bride. The most notable, and fervent in his affections, was the Lord Augustus VonSlichten, heir to the Viscounty of Chambery. It is believed he fell madly in love with her, though she only feigned such love in return as to not hurt his feelings. A betrothal was proposed, though nothing became of it. Soon after this, the Duke of Savoy, Jon Renault, was killed by the Emperor, and Savoy was being threatened by the Imperial Forces. With the flags of Horen bearing down on the Barony of Gant & the city of Aldersport, Lisette was sent out of the area before both capital and barony were blown to pieces as a final spite against Oren. Within this explosion were caught most of her kin, including her father and great-uncle.
Wandering the isle of Tahn alone, Lisette was an orphan with nowhere to go. She climbed atop cart after cart, hoping to catch wind of where one of her few surviving cousins might be, but to no avail. A brief stint in Kingdom of Haense, however, proved useful in getting her information on her cousins, Hamelin and Katherine de Savoie. Making her way to the Kingdom of the Westerlands, the orphaned lady was reunited with her two kin, making her new home with them as the Orenian Rebellion broke out.
Not accustomed to the chill of the northern tundra, Lisette was happy to learn of Hamelin's intentions of revenge on Oren, which included a political match between herself and the son of Duke Alexander Staunton, Tobias. Sent to the castle of Ostwick as an envoy for the fallen Savoy, Lisette quickly became a figure at the rebel's court. This impressed the Duke, along with her charm, wit, and penchant for management, and a formal betrothal with his son was drawn up in early 1593.
Lord Tobias Staunton and Lisette Henriette was married in the summer seasons of 1593, sanctioned by the Church of the True Faith and witnessed by over 100 guests.
