Mariya Oliviya of Haense
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Contents
Early Life
Mariya was born to King Robert I, and his consort Queen Elizabeth of Vidaus in Markev, Haense. Due to the sprawling age difference between the young Barbov dynast and her older siblings, she was never truly acquainted with any of them, and moreso with her nephews and nieces. In her infancy, Mariya found herself motherless, as Elizaveta was brutally slaughtered by one Andrik Tosali, an avid resenter of the Haeseni crown. Shortly thereafter, in order to preserve the dependable child's life amidst a brief chaotic period, she was sent away to a convent in the Aeldinic Principality of Venerra, a holding of the House of Grimm.
But a year after, a bird arrived at the sisterhood, declaring the revered King Robert as deceased. The news affected Mariya meagerly, as she was much too young to truly comprehend the drastic consequences it would take on her life. As requested by her elder brother Crown Prince Marius, who was coronated soon after, Mariya was tutored beneath the Mother Superior, not in the fields of etiquette, but in literature and politics. According to Mother Wilhemina, a pre-adolescent Mariya 'lacked the confidence and poise of a Barbanov princess, yet retained the sharpness of one'. Such reigned true, as she never failed to attend a lesson.
As she aged twelve, much to her confoundment, a missive addressed to her reached Venerra, summoning her back to court. The voyage to Arcas was arduous, taking a heavy toll on the sickly girl's frame. Nevertheless, after five Saint's months of travel, she was introduced to Haeseni Court. It is attested by the servantry that the disheveled girl was not shown around the city, nor introduced to her foreign siblings initially, but instead immediately shown to her quarters.
First Marriage
It was then that the Princess was introduced to her first cousin, the Baron Viktor of Rostig, heir to the Duchy of Vidaus. They became quick friends, and Mariya briskly fell enamored with him; much to her surprise, the feelings were reciprocated and a betrothal was writ. Whilst made to be a union of duty in a declaration writ by Lerald of Carnatia, the Lord Palatine, it was of mutual agreeance.
After an extended betrothal, Mariya was wed to Viktor in a dull ceremony, attended by a plethora of Haeseni citizens, though not the remainder of her siblings; It is said some were in disagreement with the proximity in blood relations betwixt the two, and dutifully protested the marriage.
Her time as the Duchess-Consort of riddled with instability, her husband often being remiss of his official duties, much to her dismay. After the birth of her only son with him, Siguine, and his stillborn twin, a distraught Mariya sought refuge from her duties in the court of her late mother's friend, The Count of Astorga. It was during this time that word was delivered to her that she was demoted in status, no longer bearing the title of Duchess-Consort of Vidaus, but Countess-Consort of Metterden. This led an infuriated Mariya to seek council from Andrew III of Haense who agreed with his aunt that an annulment would be the best course of action.
With haste, the princess entertained a meeting with the cardinal of Reza, pleading her case. It was during this point in her life in which she found comfort in the presence of Prince Vladrick of Rubern, who became a great confidant of hers, and some even have dared to say, a lover.
As she wandered the streets, she encountered her husband for the first time in years, who coldly wished to speak with her in private. He solemnly inquired why Mariya didn't wish to be wed to him, and why she couldn't offer him another chance, to which Mariya replied she did not love him anymore. A vexed Viktor rose, and swaggered out, labeling his estranged wife a harlot in his stead.
It wasn't until later that month in which she was woken from her slumber in a frenzy by a maidservant, who begged Mariya to attend to a riot in the square. Bemused, she drew a glance toward her slumbering child, before shuffling toward the city. A crowd had assembled in the square, and ichor perceivably stained the grounds. It wasn't before long before the Barbanov comprehended what had occurred, and she fell to her knees. Her husband and his brother had both dueled for the comital seat and had lost their lives as a consequence.
Dowager-Countess of Metterden
It wasn't before long that the young Dowager, but twenty-four and still in her youth, started garnering pitied glances by her fellow courtiers. Her niece, Princess Sofiya, who once condemned Mariya for her pursuits of dispensation, began tending to her. Unable to bear the attention any further, she began for Rubern, to speak with Vladrick. To her dismay, despite his prior utterances, the Prince only spoke of duty to her, and how his council wished for him to wed another. Out of hysterics, the overwhelmed woman proclaimed her love for the Alimar, for him too only avert his glance.
Heartbroken, and ashamed, the Princess returned home and penned a now-elderly Mother Wilhemina, pleading with the crone for advice. Again, she was reminded of duty and told of an eligible Banardian Prince seeking a bride. Begrudgingly, the woman bid farewell to her nephews and nieces, before packing what little she had for Aeldin. Upon her arrival to Banardia, she was mirthfully hailed by the Queen-Mother, Emma of Endaen, an Aeldinic Ludovar cousin.
Second Marriage
Shortly after her first husband's death, a newly widowed Mariya was blindly wed to Queen Emma's second son, Duke Francois-Olivier of Angoulême, in an opulent ceremony. The bride donned a gown similar to the one that she donned in her first marriage ceremony, an ashen gown with an extravagant carmine farthingale and a jeweled headdress. Once made the Duchess-Consort of Angoulême, the Banardian Courtiers began to refer to the timid and reserved Princess as Marie Mélancolique, due to her lack of mirth and profligacy.
Her short-lived marriage to the Prince was riddled with frustration and, according to the murmurings of courtiers, a lack of consummation. Despite her intentions to love her husband, Mariya could not bring herself to betray the late Viktor, and his memory, so soon after his untimely demise. Frustrated by the ordeal, the young Banardian Consort, Queen Eleanore Rothesay, pleaded for her husband to annul the marriage so his brother could bear issue with an able bride. To Mariya's confoundment, the request was fulfilled and she was promptly asked to depart the Banardian Court. Ashamed, and having no intention to return to the Haeseni Court so soon, the princess set off for the Duchy of Alba.
Third Marriage
To her relief, she quickly assimilated into the Courts of the House of Alstion, a welcomed change from the bustling theatrics of the Anions. In time, she grew to forget her seven-month tenure as the Duchess of Angoulême alongside the company of Marchioness Arielle de Morvelyn-Louvain. It was then when she met Alexander Frederick, a hoary man past his prime; they became fast friends and even closer confidants. Some say he was reminded of his first wife, Princess Analiese of Haense, by the Barbanov. In the days succeeding the death of his third wife, Cesarina Louise, and consequently his loveless marriage to her, an elderly Alexander proposed to Mariya. Despite being stricken by surprise, she reluctantly agreed.
Regardless of the age gap, Mariya went on with the speedy betrothal to her confidant. Some even alleged the noblewoman coaxed him into her bed as to garner prestige, though little evidence can be provided to justify such a claim. The ceremony, while opulent, was attended only by a select few, as both the bridegroom and bride did not wish for there to be grand merriment after so many unions. The Barbanov donned a white sack-back gown with one-foot panniers and a multitude of gilded items whilst keeping her hair in a traditional Haeseni braid.
Issue
Princess Mariya wed the Duke of Vidaus, Viktor var Ruthern, in her youth; their marriage sired one living son.
| Name | Birth | Death | Marriage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siguine-Otto var Ruthern, Count of Metterden | 1724 | Alive | Unwed | Firstborn son to Viktor and Mariya of Haense |
| Unnamed Stillborn | 1724 | 1724 | Unwed | Stillborn daughter to Viktor and Mariya of Haense |
