Mariya Angelika of Reza

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Mariya Angelika Barbanov
Princess Royal of Hanseti-Ruska
MariyaAngelika.png
"Duchess Mariya Blackwing", by Diane Tiber (c.1731).
Duchess-Consort of Adria
Tenure: 1729-1737
Predecessor: Klaudia of Vasiland
Born: 15th of The Deep Cold, 1703, Reza, Haense
Death: 6th of the Grand Harvest, 1738
Spouse: Adrian, Duke of Adria(m. 1729)
House: Barbanov
Father: Marius II of Haense
Mother: Valera of Adria

Princess Mariya Angelika vas Marius Barbanov (Common: Maria Angelica), nicknamed Blackwing, was a Haeseni princess and member of House Barbanov, later marrying Duke Adrian of Adria and thus becoming the Duchess-Consort of Adria. She'd become the female face of the Holy Orenian Empire when her husband was elected to the position of Lord Protector in 1731 following the death and scandal of Alexander II. As the eldest daughter of King Marius II and his primary consort, the late Valera of Adria, she was additionally bestowed the titular honor of Princess-Royal at birth.

The princess had an extreme passion for writing and language, scribing nothing short of hundreds of letters and writings across her life. These letters, some commonly publicised, allowed for an intimate insight into the late Barbanov’s life.

Biography

Early life

Mariya Angelika Barbanov was born on the 15th of the Deep Cold, 1703, to the Crown-Prince King Marius II, and his consort, the Lady Valera of Adria. As their firstborn child to the pair, her birth marked a widely celebrated event. Though not the son and heir in which the Kingdom awaited, a child born of a union between Carrion and Barbanov provided much stability for the monarchy, and hopes for the Princess-Consort’s fertility. As the first princess of the newly minted Reza, she was additionally bestowed the honorary title of ‘Princess-Royal of Reza’. A year later, Mariya’s only other full-blooded sister was born: Sofiya Theodosiya. Overcome with stress at her lack of producing an heir, Valera grew weaker, and would eventually succumb to ill-health during the birth of her third and only child, a son whomst would pass in the days after. This left a three year old Mariya without any maternal influence throughout her childhood, instilling a profound emotional effect upon the woman further into her life. Growing up, she was known for her widely volatile and snide temperament, having largely assimilated into the renowned image of her primary carer and tutor, Aleksandra of Vidaus.

Mariya’s relationship with her family proved difficult. Valera’s parentage and death, as well as the death of her son- Mariya’s brother, would be shrouded in mystery and various theories, leading the young princess to make many assumptions for herself. She commonly asserted that her brother was smothered by her Father, rather than dying of ill-health, due to the scandal that posed Valera’s true parentage as one of an incestuous nature, and that she was in fact, not a Carrion at all. Due to this, her relationship with her Father was incredibly strained, and laden with mistrust. Her younger sister Sofiya also notably stayed out of the public eye, however the two were known to get along on somewhat of a friendly basis until her departure to Aeldin at the age of ten. This left Mariya alone once again, stranded in a household with her much younger half-siblings, and her Father’s second wife, Klaudia of Vasiland. Mariya despised Klaudia, and openly expressed her hatred toward the solemn character of the Queen-Consort.

“I grew up in a world grappling in the midst of the warfare of mind and body. Time and time again, my people were faced with the inevitability of conflict. They bled for the wounds in my father’s pride, and died for the loss of his legacy."

-A letter, dated later in the Princess’ life, describing the nature of her Father’s conflicts

Finding little comfort in the courts, Mariya found herself spending much more time with her Alimar kin. Aleksandra and Josef acted as adoptive parents to her, and she became quick companions with their children; particularly their two sons, Kazimar and Vladrick. Despite being a chaotic household, it was these years in their care that Mariya found the happiest years of her life.

“I hate that you’ve gone off travelling, again. Haense seems too empty, so devoid of the life and thrill I’ve grown accustomed to, when you’re not there. I suppose many would argue that the city is much more preferable without the shrill screams and snarky remarks- but I don't. On the contrary, it makes me feel somewhat invigorated. Most of my being is reduced to the dull continuum of the courts, shackled to the bounds of my stature. Yet when we wander the streets together, arm in arm, gloating and causing dramatics to rise- I truly feel alive.”

-An early letter of Mariya’s to Aleksandra of Vidaus

A portrait picturing young Mariya (Left) and Sofiya in vestal robes.

Whilst the War of Two Emperors began and continued to rage on throughout her adolescence, Mariya remained secluded within Reza’s walls- paying little mind to it. The true nature of the bloodied conflict would only be made clear to her upon the executions of the Palatine George Alimar, and his twin brother Godfric- two men of the Alimar household, in which had acted as uncles to Mariya.

Only a few years after, Mariya’s father Marius would be murdered within the palace courtyard. The death of Josef, and disappearance of Aleksandra would follow. These early attributions of loss in her family, despite having fractured relations, are considered to have accounted to her lifelong solemn and sad demeanour. She grew pensive, encompassed by fear and beliefs of a curse placed upon her by the way of her suspected grand-parentage.

“As I traversed upon the city gates, horrors untold awaited me. I often consider this to be one of, if not the most pivotal moment in shaping my maturity to come. Reza’s square was a bloodbath. Few soldiers lay about, sporting injuries that varied in intensity from person to person. Women rushed between them- clinging tightly to brothers, sons and husbands with tear stained cheeks and desperate cries. I will never forget that day. It stains my memory, a parasite upon my conscience that shall never so leave, no matter what I may do.”

-A portion of a letter scribed in Mariya’s later life, reflecting upon the events of the war.

Mariya would become acquainted with the lady Milena of Adria upon her arrival in Reza from the shores of Aeldin. Milena, quick-witted, befriended the headstrong princess in order to win her support in her bid for Andrik III’s queenship. As one of her first companions beyond the Alimars, Mariya’s friendship with Milena would continue onward into their lives- to the Barbanov, being one of a trustworthy foundation. Yet, in considering later events to transpire, the true nature of their friendship from Milena’s point of view is disputed. Mariya’s sister Sofiya would return from Aeldin soon after, and the three would form the core of Milena’s royal court.

Marriage Controversy

Despite sharing a brief courtship with the Renatian Knight Tiberius Tiber in her early teenage years, Mariya’s first formal betrothal would be to her close childhood friend, Vladrick Alimar. Vladrick had travelled away from court for the years prior, and it was rumoured that Mariya had in fact broken off relations with Tiberius upon hearing of the Alimar’s return, now titled the Prince of Rubern. The two were known to have been incredibly happy together, and much of the kingdom awaited the day they would wed- a union of two Barbov houses. However, they would remain betrothed and unwed for a number of years, likely due to Mariya’s intense fear of marriage, stemming from the failures of her Father’s own- a decision which would later cripple their engagement.

It was during this time in which the Duke of Adria, Adrian Sarkozic, contacted Sofiya, via letter, asking for advice on matters of seeking a bride. He was promptly suggested Mariya- Sofiya’s intention to undermine her union with Vladrick, as she commonly expressed her distaste for the man. Adrian, eager for the prospect of a Barbovi alliance, travelled to Reza in order to prepare a meeting with the two sisters.

Adrian arrived with a substantial retinue, and boasted the lively success of his re-emerging Duchy to the Barbovi princesses. He would quickly request Mariya’s hand in marriage, expressing his will for an alliance between the two political states. Finding herself blindsided by a meeting in which she had no knowledge of, Mariya vehemently refused his proposal. Sofiya mocked her blatant faithfulness to Vladrick, and continued to urge her toward the Duke as the three conversed. Adrian himself aided in Sofiya’s quest to defame the Alimar prince, citing his emotional tendencies, as well suggesting that his lands and stronghold, the Principality of Rubern, would turn against the crown of Haense and an alliance would prove detrimental. It was in this that Mariya relented- if anything, she was a woman wholly devoted to her Kingdom and it’s wellbeing. After significant negotiations, she hesitantly agreed to the proposed union on the grounds that Adrian formally petitioned the court of her brother.

“I’ve shed my tears. The time to mourn what could have been has long since passed, and the time to act upon what now grows ever nearer. Your pushing and prodding brings me to a world I’d never anticipated, yet a world I shall embrace. Adria, a cultural hub of invention, the fruits of a bastard with a keen eye for seizing the moments as they come.

Seizing the moments. Was I a moment to seize? My hand in his, the frigid sense of dread as the priest spoke a blessing of the union to be. I should smile, I should be prouder to do my Kingdom such honour, but I worry the stain of what could have been will forever haunt me in my darkest hours. I can only hope that another finds comfort in his arms, as I did in times past. However, I will learn to fit the image of whatever my duties are to become.

A foreign court shall not break me, nor change me, instead it will verse me in the workings of a world I don’t know.”

-From a letter addressed to Sofiya, written following the events of Mariya’s betrothal to Adrian

However, before such a petition could be made officially, considerable scandal would be placed upon the betrothal. Mariya, wracked with guilt and fear in her decisions, failed to inform Vladrick of her intention to dissolve their engagement. Within a festival held for Emperor Alexander II’s coming-of-age ceremony, chaos erupted. Mariya was made aware that in fact, the Duke was betrothed to two princesses at once- having not nullified his arrangements with the Princess Ester of Avalain prior to seeking Mariya’s hand. Within the confined space of the Imperial palace courtyards, Ester confronted Mariya, who then confronted Adrian. Vladrick, also present, caught wind of the going-ons, alongside Mariya’s brother, King Andrik III. With much emotional and political distress occurring between each party, the Duke of Adria began to panic- in worries the predicament would cost him an already tedious engagement with Mariya.

Adrian approached Mariya privately shortly after, elaborating upon the situation. The patriarch of Sarkozic, Edgar of Sarkoz, had rejected the idea of a Devereux union for Adrian, despite a betrothal already being in place. Threatening him with denouncing his heirship to the house, Adrian had rushed to seek an alternative bride, hence his intense pushing for Mariya’s favour, and his scheming alongside her sister. He expressed his apology for what had transpired, yet reaffirmed the political advantages of their potential union. Mariya, still at a loss for how wrong it had all gone, allowed the engagement to continue. Despite thinking the Duke pompous, entitled and arrogant- she saw her entrapment in the arrangement. For Vladrick had spoken lengths to his will to see Mariya and Adrian dead after her betrayal, and without a marriage to the Duke- she would have nothing left.

Adrian promptly summoned the entirety of his retinue, travelling to Reza to finally petition King Andrik for her hand. When there, he told Vladrick to leave, to which the Alimar refused. Vladrick is said to have only laughed when Andrik granted Adrian Mariya’s hand in marriage. In a strange twist of irony, Vladrick would go on to court and later marry Adrian’s former betrothed, Ester Devereux. Cordial, yet cold, Mariya and Adrian exchanged letters for the following months, the Princess making occasional visits to the newly constructed Renz.

“I’ve no doubt we will wed in the most grand affair, one suited to a Duke and Princess of the crows. But, a grand wedding was never what I desired, you know that. My sights were set upon a small ceremony in the Prikaz gardens, as father did all those years ago- even if the woman he wed was no less than the daemons above in a dress. I envy their quiet serenity, and envy the peace of a lifetime by the side of a man who was content with what he had.”

-Mariya’s thoughts upon her wedding to come, taken from a letter to her sister, Sofiya, whilst the Barbanov visited and stayed within Renz.

In a grand ceremony befitting the alliance of Carriondom to come, the pair wed upon the 8th of the Sun’s Smile, 1729. In attendance were hundreds of guests, amongst them members of Barbanov, Sarkozy, Imperials, and even select members of a Ruberni delegation- Vladrick himself included. Milena and Sofiya meticulously prepared the bride, whomst wore a cascading white and gold gown- it’s style devoutly Raev.

As Duchess of Adria

Following the wedding, Mariya relocated to the township of Renzfeld, the capital of the Duchy of Adria. A solemn, yet dutiful duchess, she thrust herself into the various roles of her position, finding solace in the straightforwardness and simplicity of her work. Her sister Sofiya aided her immensely, the woman enjoying the climate and activity of the town.

Two years after their marriage, the ducal pair would welcome their first child- a healthy baby boy, bearing a strong resemblance to Adrian, yet possessing Mariya’s Barbanov blue eyes. The child was christened Joseph Clement de Sarkozy. Struggling to connect emotionally with her child, whomst would never settle in the care of his Mother- Mariya resorted to leaving much of his care and upbringing to the courtiers. Motherhood proved an inherently difficult role in Mariya’s life, as she’d lacked a caring maternal influence in her own youth.

“My son is no less a stranger than those I observe milling in the crowds of the square. I sought my own sister Sofiya for advice. Little Maya coos dotingly in her arms, looking up to her Mother with nothing short of adoration and boundless affections. And yet my own child, a boy I’d give my life for- peers up to me with fear, with a gaze of vacant disinterest. It pains me so. I had everything prepared perfectly, from his name, his upbringing, to the very clothes he donns. Have I gone wrong? Whatever else am I supposed to do?

Time. Time, it must be it. He shall adapt, adjust. In time, he shall learn to love me as a mother, as I do my child.

For what am I to him, if not his mother?”

-Mariya on her difficult relationship with her infant son, detailed within a letter to the Queen Milena

Mariya aided Adrian in numerous ventures internally within the Duchy, as well as relations beyond. She organised a restructure of Adrian court, re-defining the positions and roles within it. Though holding a tumultuous, and ultimately lacklustre marriage, the pair were propelled by a shared, devout patriotism to highlander beliefs and the protection of their respective birth realms.

It was within the same year of Joseph’s birth in which the Emperor Alexander II passed of sickness, leading to the ascension of Adrian to Lord-Protector of Oren in a unanimous decision by various vassal leaders.

Imperial Tenure

The house of Sarkozic, now rebranded as the imperialised name of de Sarkozy, then took residence within the Imperial city of Helena. Adrian sought to repair the fractured pieces of the Empire, starting with a total demolition, and reconstruction of the city. Mariya aided in small parts of the design, as well as overseeing the implementation of the newly minted Helena.

“A city stands anew upon the ruins of war, the curses of empires prior. For each man and woman's toils in her construction, there shall be thrice those who prosper within Helena's walls. No longer shall she lack Imperial grandeur, for the epitome of one's presence is in one's veneer, is it not?”

-A rumination upon the new city, assumed to be dated from her primitive years living within Helena

Throughout her newfound Imperial tenure, the Duchess lessened somewhat in her prior, cold demeanour. She began to once more handle affairs of court, organising a variety of events, and hosting a number of guests within the palace walls. Mariya bore another son- George Casimir, followed by two daughters- Philippa Valera, and Anna Sophia, their namesake after her mother and sister respectively.

It was in these years that Mariya was driven by a long-standing lust for power. Observing the meticulous Lord-Protectorship arrangements, she sported ideas of a new empire, one beneath the rule of Sarkozy. Adrian shared in this ideal, and the two began planning for an ascension to Emperor and Empress-Consort respectively, expecting to do so following the conclusion of the Orcish War. Though never born, nor raised to hold such a prestigious title, Mariya anticipated the day she’d be crowned with much fervour, eagerly embracing the opportunity. She began drafting extensive Imperial courtly reforms- drawing influence from the Empires of old, as well as the reforms made by her sister-in-law, the Queen Milena. Mariya had the Empress’ suite of the palace custom tailored to her, despite not yet having the public authority to do so. Upon the roof, a grand mural of Reza, and the walls lined with various Hanseni portraits and paintings.

A portrait of Mariya, depicting her months before her death. Attributed to the Court Painter, Diane Tiber

Allegedly, she also had coronation garments covertly tailored, as well as a number of crowns befitting the image of an Empress-Consort. Certain correspondence spoke of a dramatic golden gown, decorated with intricate embroidery symbols of both her Hanseni and Imperial heritage. To accompany, both a red sash and a historic headpiece- a crown inspired by the one in which her Mother Valera had worn in a single instance, her wedding to the King Marius, and never again. The existence of said gown is contested, as no concrete proof was ever found.

However tragedy would strike the Empire, with the Lord Protector, Mariya's husband, falling ill and passing away shortly after his victory in the Orcish battle. With her plans shattered, now both widowed and without power, she fell into an extremely depressive state. From there onward, she lived between Helena and Haense- finding much grief in the memories held within the new Imperial Capital. Mariya wore the darkened colours of mourning for the remainder of her life, rarely seen outside of the confines of her room.

“I don’t weep because I loved the man. I didn’t. In fact, all we possibly had never did transpire beyond duty, beyond a shared bond and ambition to see a better for our homes, and too for the one we shared. I weep, for now I know not of what comes next. The palace we built is no longer ours to share, and the empire we dreamed of will never ascend. I am nothing without what this union gave me. This grief is not for what has been lost, but for what was meant to become. A pitied widow- the image shall not suffice.”

-An excerpt from a writing discovered posthumously, assumed to have been written following Adrian’s death

Mariya loathed her presence in an empire to which she would not be empress to, and worried immensely in being forgotten in history. Her later life was marked with considerable pain- reconnecting with her prior fiancee Vladrick only once, to which she discovered his blatant happiness with Ester. Mariys fell into her own mental turmoil, similarly to how her sister had in the few years prior, and was plagued with hatred and spite to the world around her.

“There is a mural upon the ceiling of the Empress’ suite. It is of Reza, of Haense- my homeland. I’ve etched my own presence upon each corner of the suite, in each book chosen to fill the shelves and each candle by it’s bedside. Will this be taken away? Will I be erased from history, ignored from the tomes of our days that’ll someday rest upon my ancestors shelves? I fear that I will waste away into nothing, is that a just fear? I must cease my thoughts, for I wish not to write by candlelight in fear I shall set myself aflame and fail to douse it.”

-Another writing, dated sometime between Adrian’s death in the Amber Cold of 1737, and her own passing in the spring of 1738

Death

Only a single year after Adrian’s death, Mariya paid a visit to the ruins of her prior home, Reza. The city had been demolished in favour of a new Hanseni city- leaving only the Cathedral, where Mariya was wed, and the Prikaz palace, where she had grown up. It was within the remnants of the Prikaz palace that the Duchess met a gruesome end- murdered assumedly by one opposing the Sarkozic regime. Her body was later recovered, though details of her death are left mostly unknown. No funeral was held, and nor was much attention paid to the Duchess-Dowager's passing, apart from the sentiments from the Queen Milena, and the Alimars.

Legacy

Following her murder, those handmaidens closest to Mariya delivered a series of letters- detailing her final words to numerous people, as well as leaving items to her will. It was assumed that she had written these letters in anticipation of her demise, yet strangely most were dated from before Adrian’s death- before she had spiraled into extreme depression. Among those receiving letters were the Queen Milena, her niece Karina, and Vladrick.

Months later, Queen Milena was officially crowned alongside her husband. She wore a dress with stark similarities to words spoken of the Duchess' alleged coronation gown, sparking theories that in fact, it was passed on to the Hanseni Queen. The dress has since become a symbol of Hanseni culture- worn by Milena’s succecessor, Maya of Muldav, for her coronation also.

However, in the years following Milena’s death- a number of letters would be made public, detailing the Queen’s tendencies for extramarital activities. Though the parentage of her children was proven to be Barbanov, much speculation continued- with a strong belief that she in fact had relations with Mariya’s husband, Adrian Sarkozic. This led to question the true nature of their public friendship across the years of their respective lives.

Mariya’s children would go on to continue the Imperial line- with her son, Joseph Clement, marrying the Princess Imperial and heir to the throne, Anne Augusta. Joseph Clement later rose to the position of Anne Augusta's co ruler, making the pair the Holy Orenian Emperor and Empress respectively. Through him, Mariya's line continues onward within the Imperial Royalty.

With a substantial collection of writings detailing each stage of her life, much is known about the Princess’ rise, and ultimate fall in power. Her name was later commemorated by the Queen Maya, in the form of the Marusvar Masquerade ball, held in her honour. Mariya’s story remains a Hanseni fable of fear, and the consequences of a lust for power.

"Yet if I’ve learnt anything from my time in the capital, it is that we must cherish the moments we can. I cherish that moment, even if I must return to a grimmer reality moments later. I advise you to do the same, Queen Milena. We cannot pour our hearts into each waking hour, for they will only fall subject to the pains of rulership."

-Perhaps Mariyas most well-known quote, taken from her final letter to Queen Milena

Titles, styles, honours and arms

  • 15th of The Deep Cold 1703 - 8th of the Sun’s Smile 1729: Her Royal Highness The Princess Mariya Angelika, Princess Royal of Reza
  • 8th of the Sun’s Smile, 1729 - 12 The Amber Cold, 1737: Her Royal Highness The Princess Mariya Angelika, Duchess of Adria, Princess Royal of Reza
  • 12 The Amber Cold, 1737 - 6th of the Grand Harvest, 1738 : Her Royal Highness The Princess Mariya Angelika, Dowager Duchess of Adria, Princess Royal of Reza

Full title as Duchess of Adria

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, Prince Mariya, Princess Royal of Hanseti-Ruska, Duchess of Adria, the Crownlands, Lorraine, and Roden, Baroness of Renzfeld

Issue

Name Birth Death Marriage
Joseph II, Holy Orenian Emperor 1st of Malin's Welcome, 1731 Alive Anne I, Holy Orenian Empress Firstborn child of Adrian and Maria. Sucessor of Adrian, Duke of Adria. Rose to the position of Holy Orenian Emperor following his marriage to Anne Augusta.
George Casimir, Count of Pompourelia 19th of the First Seed, 1735 1797 Henrietta, Princess of Alstion Secondborn child of Adrian and Maria. Count of Pompourelia
Philippa Valeria de Sarkozy 7th of the Grand Harvest, 1736 Alive Unwed Thirdborn child of Adrian and Maria. Left the Imperial lifestyle to retire to a convent following her Parent's demise, alongside her sister Anna.
Anna Sophia de Sarkozy 12th of the Deep Cold, 1737 Alive Unwed Fourthborn child of Adrian and Maria. Left the Imperial lifestyle to retire to a convent following her Parent's demise, alongside her sister Philippa.

Ancestors