Maisie of Sunholdt

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Maisie d'Arkent Lady Maisie of Sunholdt Lady Maisie c.1815 Born: 13th of The Snow Maiden, 1794 Helena, Holy Orenian Empire Spouse: Unwed House: d'Arkent Father: Alexander-Lucian d'Arkent Mother: Victoria Adelheid d'Arkent née de Balain

Maisie Adelheid d'Arkent (High Imperial: Margarita Alice), otherwise known as Maisie of Sunholdt or Adelheid of Arthi'onn, was a member of the house d'Arkent. She was the second born daughter to Lord Alexander-Lucian d'Arkent, and his wife Lady Victoria Adelheid d'Arkent née de Balain. She is a well-established member of the Augustine court under the rule of Anne I, Holy Orenian Empress, Joseph II, Holy Orenian Emperor, and John VIII, Holy Orenian Emperor.

Biography

Early Life

Lady Maisie Adelheid was born with her twin brother Caspian d'Arkent within the Duchy of Selm upon the 13th of The Snow Maiden, 1794 to Lord Alexander-Lucian d'Arkent and Lady Victoria Adelheid d'Arkent. She was the triennial born, and second born daughter to the pair. At that moment, the Duchy was under Peter Baldwin d'Arkent, the 2nd Duke of Sunholdt. Many would note how constantly sick she was, most convinced she would not make it through the evacuation to Almaris. However, some sort of miracle occurred and she would soon recuperate. Her formal education would begin soon after under various Imperial tutors and nannies. Known for her large dictionary of manners and etiquette knowledge that she had memorized.

Subsequently, after the disappearance of both her parents, the miss was sent to the Augustine court for the remainder of her childhood. There she learned more about court manners under Lady Anna Henrietta Pruvia-Provins and participated in planning and hosting a few balls.

Caspian and Maisie painted by Mary Vespira c.1800

In 1807, Maisie was issued to Haense to start a wardship under Queen-Consort of Hanseti-Ruska Isabel. There she continued her education, befriending Mariya Antoniya and Mariya Sofia. She also took a mentorship under the famous Seamster, Wilhelm O.R. She was most known for her four-time win streak in Hanseti Chess, the longest in history. During one of these games, she met her first betrothed, Cadieux d'Airelle.

The couple seemed to get on well, seen together quite a lot. Almost as soon as the duo became a formal match, having had their marriage accepted by both families, Maisie was called back to Providence. Her older brother and sister had returned from boarding school and wished to have all family members back home. So she bid her adieus, ending her formal wardship with Queen Isabel.

When she returned to the Duchy of Sunholdt, she was said to be plumper than when she left. However, she was healthier and seemed to be quite ecstatic about being home. Sadly, things would take a turn for the worse. Her betrothal being broken off for unknown reasons leaving her once more single. Taking the now extra time in her life to continue to study under Will O.R. and learn the harp.

Adolescents

Her return home was not all sour though, as she quickly adapted to the ever-changing court of Providence. During a very hot summer, she was sent to accompany her older brother, Peter Alexander Duke of Sunholdt, to Cathalon. As the two ducal families conversed, Duchess-Consort Blanche desired for her daughter, Margaux Helvets, to be married to Peter d'Arkent. The marriage was quickly agreed upon, and all parties seemed to be pleased. Except one, Joseph II, Holy Orenian Emperor. The Emperor quickly denied the marriage and forced Maisie's older brother's hand in marriage to his granddaughter, Josephine Augusta of Crestfall. Maisie wore black for weeks in mourning of the sister she had lost, refusing to speak too, or even go to the wedding of Peter and Josephine.

As she started to wear color again, her second betrothal would begin, being introduced to Conrad de Falstaff in 1808 and being betrothed a year later with her grandfather's blessing. However, the first social season of 1810 would take place, forcing the couple to go through the season to have their marriage approved. Her debut was not one to be remembered, yet Princess Imperial, Elizabeth, would describe her as charming and elegant. A befitting compliment for her status within the courts as a kind and well-liked girl.

Maisie c.1822

As a way of destressing and taking her mind off the seriousness of court, Maisie started to learn voidal magics under Leona of Arthi'onn. Though no one knew of this yet, keeping her practicing and lessons hidden. It was said this, plus her childhood sickness made the woman infertile later on in life.

Towards the end of the social season, the Sedan Rebellion broke out. In the same month that Maisie and Lord Conrad's marriage was approved by the Emperor, Lord Conrad confessed to his love that he was a traitor to Oren and had joined Sedan's side. The engagement was publically broken off, for fears the d'Arkents would be dragged into it. Her second betrothal now being a failure, and her status as being ruined, plus the stresses of day-to-day life, took a hard toll on the budding woman. Developing a serious drinking problem as well as not being seen in court for years.

After years of solitude, Maisie would return to Augustine court accompanied by Natalia and Emerentia Kovachev with the rumors of Maisie's sorceress status starting to spread. Being called a witch publicly multiple times. Only sending the poor woman further into her own mind. Only her closest acquaintances would know of the mental struggle Maisie suffered during this time, expressing to her cousin, Mary Casimira, of the loss of her only child with a miscarriage.

Adulthood

The second Social Season of 1818 defined the start of Maisie's adulthood. During this season, she tutored and helped push Natalie Beaumont through with the Kovachev sisters. Though, the Lady lost popularity quite swiftly due to a misstep during the Carrington Soriee of 1818. She put her name on a published gossip collum, slandering her Carrington cousins. The Governess, Anna Henrietta Pruvia-Provins, quickly banned Maisie for the rest of the social season. During this time, she wrote and published her first poetry collection. Though time moves fast, and the banishment was lifted a few months later after a meeting with the Princess Imperial, Elizabeth and Governess Anna.

Yet, the curse of the Social Season struck again, and the 10th Nordling War began. Much like the last war, Maisie quickly packed up her items and left court. Taking refuge with her voidal magic teacher, Leona. From the safety of Leona's home, she started to learn about Fire and Earth's voidal magics. She'd start to go by her middle name, which she shared with her mother, Adelheid, outside of the Holy Empire's walls. She'd build a name for herself in the Haense court under this new name.

When she was traveling from Sutica to Haense, her carriage was raided by the Ferryman. She was said to put up a fight against these unruly men. Her efforts were thwarted and she was captured and held for ransom, at first no one came for her, but her Twin, Caspian d'Arkent, convinced the ISA to rescue her. Afterward being treated for serious stab wounds in both arms and questioned about where she had been for the last few years. Maisie held her tongue, which only caused more of an issue. Being informed that if she returned during the Nordling war, she would be hanged.

So, after some swift goodbyes to her Nieces and Nephews, she'd leave once more. Continuing her journey of self-discovery until about 1822. Only returning with the Augustine court reforms and the death of her aunt, Anna Henreitta. She'd take up a position within the courts as a tutor and liaison to Haense. She tutored Anastasya Ruthern and Juliya Basrid, in respectively different subjects.

Poetry

Maisie d'Arkent published many poems throughout her life, being an accomplished author. Her first collection was released in 1818, called Lingering Petals. It was dedicated to her lost loves, Cadieux and Conrad. The most famous piece from this collection is called Grief.

The way I grieve for you is not loud.

It is not a cry in the dark,

a wail to those who love me,

a breakdown made of tears and apologies

and ‘why is this happening to me’s.

Instead, my grief is a silent killer.

It suffocates me in the night.

I feel it poison my lungs

every time I draw in breath.

I feel it wrap its cold dark hands

around my barely beating heart,

squeeze until it needs to gasp to restart

and yet it does not speak.

My grief is silent,

so others think it doesn’t exist.

They look at the unbreakable mask I wear

on my face without realizing my insides scream.

They wonder if I ever loved you

the way you needed.

sometimes they think I am

a heartless thing that never loved you at all.

They think I never deserved you

and refuse to understand the truth of the way I grieve.

Maisie would later publish another collection in 1820 named Lovelorn. The poems were dedicated to her three nieces, Alexandra Helene, Amara Elise, and Elaine Victoria. The most notable poem from this collection was for her dead niece Amara, titled Dear Amara.

Oh, listen, my Dear,

to the fairy voices calling.

For the moon is high in the misty sky

and the honeydew is falling.

To the midnight feast in the cover night,

The bluebells are a-ringing,

And to the beavers singing

“Come away to the land of white.”

Oh, slumber, my Dear,

and hand in hand we’ll wander.

Hand in hand to the beautiful land

above, way off yonder.

Or we’ll sail along in a lily leaf

into the white moon’s halo,

over a stream of mist and dream,

into the land above.

Titles and Styles

• 1794-1812 Lady, d'Arkent

• 1812-1822 The Honorable, Maisie Adelheid d'Arkent

• 1822-present The Honorable, Maisie Adelheid d'Arkent, Lady of the Chamber, Court Liaison to Haense Court

Issue

Name	Birth	Death	Marriage
Lucrezia Lilianne	1811	1811	Unwed	An unclaimed miscarriage of Maisie's. Rumor's said it was Conrad de Falstaff's child, yet none were confirmed. The child is named after Maisie's aunt, Vespira Lilianne. The baby would be buried privately in an unmarked grave.

Ancestors

Ancestors of Maisie of Sunholdt

16. Joseph I, Holy Orenian Emperor               8. John, Duke of Sunholdt                       17. Mary de Geligad               4. Peter Baldwin, Duke of Sunholdt                             18. Antonius I, Emperor of Man               9. Vespira, Princess of Man, Duchess of Sunholdt                       19. Karenina, Empress of Man               2. Alexander-Lucian d'Arkent                                   20. Marius II, King of Hanseti-Ruska               10. Matyas, Duke of Alban                       21. Klaudia, Queen of Hanseti-Ruska               5. Tatiana, Duchess of Sunholdt                             22. William, Prince of Venerra               11. Sylvia, Duchess of Alban                       23. Maryeis, Princess of Venerra               1. Maisie d'Arkent                                         3. Victoria Adelheid d'Arkent