Marlene of Merryweather

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Marlene Konstancja of Merryweather
Marlene, Margravine of Velen

Margravine-Consort of Velen
Tenure: 1944 - Presently
Predecessor: Leufroy of Lewes
Successor: Incumbent

Born: 1922, Mardale, Haense
Spouse: Siegmund I of Velen (m. 1944)
House: House of Alstreim
Father: Siegfried Ottomar von Alstreim
Mother: Maya Pavelina, Princess of Mardale

Marlene Konstancja (Common: Mary Constance), known commonly as Marlene of Merryweather was the first-born and only child of Prince Siegfried von Alstreim and Princess Maya Pavelina. She assumed the title of Margravine of Velen upon her marriage to Siegmund I in 1944. Following her marriage and transition into adulthood, and at the behest of her aunts, she'd serve as the Director-General of Housing and Development during the reign of Edmund II, King of Aaun and later John I, King of Aaun, sitting on the royal council from 1948 to 1968 in which she'd retire to her families holdings.

Biography

Early Life

Marlene Konstancja von Alstreim was the first-born daughter and the sole offspring of Prince Siegfried von Alstreim and Princess Maya Pavelina von Draco. She graced the world amid a harsh winter in the year 1922, a time when firewood was scares in Haense for her family. Her father, Prince Siegfried, known for his extensive travels, was notably absent during her birth, leaving the responsibility to her mother, Maya, who her sisters assisted. Together, they welcomed Marlene as a healthy infant, bearing the striking fiery locks of her father and the green eyes of her mother. Her name, Marlene, was an homage to one of her father's beloved aunts, Marlein Igne von Alstreim.

A portrait done of the Lady Marlene, capturing a dramatic moment in time, titled "Rouge" (c. 1937) By Maeve

Marlene's early life was marked by great turmoil which started with the sudden excommunication of the von Draco family, leaving them ostracized from their status in society. Tragedy struck once again when her mother, Maya, met an untimely demise, effectively rendering Marlene an orphan as her father continued his relentless journeys, often far from home. At the tender age of merely four, she took up the responsibility of sweeping floors and serving beverages at the Raev House in Haense. It was in this humble establishment that she would begin to learn the essential virtues of life, such as proper manners and basic literacy skills, thanks to the guidance of Princess Raev, the establishment's owner. Marlene's education extended to practical skills as well, including the ability to write her name and perform basic mathematics, which was important for her role in keeping the shop operational.

Fate, however, had a unique twist as during a visit by Prince Heinrich of Merryweather to Haense, who intended to meet his future bride, Aleksandra of Vidaus, he found himself at the Raev House. It was here that Prince Heinrich crossed paths with Marlene, and struck by the state of his brother's only child, brought her back with him to the Principality of Merryweather. At the time the large lands were still under construction and she'd be housed in the Hand of Horen in the capital of Whitespire. She would make herself useful once more by doing practical jobs for her uncle such as carrying papers and taking notes at meetings making her education far from a normal girl of her age.

As she grew older her father would visit more often, taking the time from his adventures to check on Marlene in Whitespire. At the age of ten, he'd suggest she take wardship under the Queen of Balian, Andromeda of Ba'as. Marlene wanting an adventure of her own would accept, spending the next two years in the desert learning herbology from the Palatiodora, Nicoletta Sarkozic. Unbeknownst to her, the real reason her father wanted her in Balian was to force the perusal of an engagement between her and the heir to the County of Salia, John Auguste. Many historians are unsure of what exactly transpired between the two children but Marlene did return to Whitespire right before her twelfth birthday and would later marry another man.

At a similar time her Uncle, the Prince of Merryweather, and Aleksandra vas Ruthern finally wed. This was a joyous time in Marlene's life when she had a rare friend or company since her one friend, Adelheid, had been sent to ward under Queen Amaya of Venzia by her brother. She became rather arrogant with practices of religion and focused on furthering her education, especially after the death of her uncle, the King of Aaun, and his heir, Henry Charles.

The sudden tragedy inspired her to venture out once more like her father in search of purpose. At the age of fifteen, she'd take a trip to her family's land, Athens Salvus, touring the great kingdom as well as becoming proficient in the harp. Then upon returning home, she'd begin to take archery lessons from a family friend, Dietrich. This was partially inspired by her Aunt, Aleksandra, whom she had grown close with over the years.

The Proposal (c. 1942) byMiss_Confined

Finally, in 1939, the Principality of Merryweather completed its construction and the von Alstreim family relocated from the Hand of Horen to Ulrichsburg. There Marlene took on an aunt role in her cousin's lives as they were all a decade or more younger than her. She was especially close with Johannes Lothar and Adelheid Klara, reading them stories and often looking out for them in the absence of their parents.

Debut into Society

Marlene's debut into Aaunic society did not occur until she reached the age of twenty, a noteworthy departure from the customs in Aaun. Typically, young ladies make their debut much earlier in life. However, there was no Aaunic Refearia hosted for women of her age at the time. In response, Marlene decided to follow the customs of Alstreim tradition and debut privately. To kick off her debut, Marlene completed a unique challenge — a display of her archery skills. She demonstrated her abilities by hitting every target set by her aunt with arrows.

Following the successful completion of her chosen challenge, Marlene's uncle delivered a speech detailing how he had first come across the von Alstreim in the ice of Haense and how he brought her back and raised her in her father's absence. After such a feast the grand hall welcomed all to celebrate Marlene's debut.

Much to the surprise of everyone present, Marlene's aunt made a rather bold move during the feast. She threatened to throw a fit unless Lord Siegmund, Margrave of Velen, proposed to Marlene. Unbeknownst to many, Marlene and Lord Siegmund had been quietly nurturing a romance ever since her return to Aaun from Balian. Lord Siegmund had already been planning to propose soon, but the suddenness of the public declaration of intent shocked both him and Marlene. Rumors circulated that, later on, a proper engagement ring was crafted, and the proposal was redone more conventionally.

The Margrave and Margravine of Velen (c. 1967) By Handmaiden Deia

Marriage

Mere months after Marlene's debut into Aaunic society was the great flood of Aaun where the streets of Whitespire were drenched in water for months. Originally the pair had planned to marry immediately but had to wait until Whitespire was clear of debris. They would stay in the Grand Duchy of Minitz, against proper code, and with each other during the tragedy. It was not until the summer of 1944 that the streets were finally dried and in the autumn following the two wed.

The ceremony was in the Chapel of Our Lady of Paradisius where Matthias, Cardinal of Lotharia, officiated the nuptials. Marlene was walked down the aisle by her Uncle and after all, headed to the Hand of Horen to celebrate briefly before other events took place.

As Margravine of Velen

After marrying Siegmund, Marlene became Margravine of Velen. She started her journey in the Clementine Courts, succeeding her aunt, Sister Gisele of Merryweather. As the Head Bellwether, Marlene delved into the study of Aaun's fashion and cultures, showcasing her early talent in her sole publication, Looks of a Nation: Whitespire.

King Edmund later appointed Marlene as the Director-General of Housing and Development, tasking her with addressing the city's financial crisis through a housing initiative. Marlene diligently conducted a census, sold homes, and played a crucial role in stabilizing the city's economy.

However, she later withdrew from public life, reportedly due to a series of still-births that brought sorrow to the family. During this time, Marlene focused on planning Velen's blueprints and financing the construction of Kostritz Castle, along with a tavern, cottages, and a chapel. Despite a decade-long effort to gather funds, the construction was completed in 1954, marking her return to the royal council.

The Margravine of Velen (c. 1945) By Dev Clark

After overcoming the challenges, Marlene welcomed a healthy heiress named after herself, followed by triplets and, two years later, her last child, Siegmunda Agnes. In 1959, after her eldest's 5th birthday, Marlene published a comprehensive history of the von Reuss house and renewed the Velenic charter. Although her husband's signature is on the charter, historians believe it was entirely Marlene's initiative to renew it.

In 1962, Marlene's sister-in-law Adelheid of Velen passed unexpectedly and from an unremarked incident which would insight issues with the Varoches when the body was not returned to the March from which Adelheid had come. After years of silence on the matter, Marlene would approach the King and force the hand of Adelheid's widow, the Baron of Napoliza, to return a lock of Adelheid's hair so a Velenic burial rite could be arranged. Following the burning of the hair in a pyre made from the Aschenwald and prayers for her soul, Marlene formally retired from the Royal Council to focus on Velenic affairs while her husband continued his work as Vice-Chancellor.

Titles and Styles

1922-1944: Her Ladyship, Marlene Konstancja von Alstreim
1944-1848: The Most Honourable, Margravine of Velen, Head Bellwether of the Clementine Courts
1848-1968: Her Excellency, the Margravine of Velen, Director-General of Housing and Development
1968-Presently The Most Honorable, Margravine of Velen

Full Style as Margravine-consort of Velen

The Most Honourable, Marlene of Merryweather, Margravine-consort of Velen, Countess-consort of Cantal, Viscountess-Consort of the Aschenwald, Baroness-consort of Mons Velena, Alsace, and the Arentania, Lady of Kostritz, Protectress of the Aschenwald peoples

Issue

Name	Birth	Death	Marriage
Konstancja Illena von Reuss	15th of Tobias' Bounty, 1954	Alive	Unwed	Firstborn daughter of Marlene and Siegmund to make it past infancy. She was named in honor of the last Margravine of Velen, Philippa Illena.
Leufroy Otto von Reuss	7th of Godfrey's Triumph, 1955	Alive	Unwed	Firstborn son of Marlene and Siegmund and the boy in a pair of fraternal triplets. He was named in honor of Siegmund's father, Leufroy.
Guinevere Milena von Reuss	7th of Godfrey's Triumph, 1955	Alive	Unwed	Secondborn daughter of Marlene and Siegmund and the twin of Harmonie in the fraternal triplets. She was named in honor of the Margravine, Guinevere Lucia and Marlene's aunt, Aleksandra Milena.
Harmonie Luciel von Reuss	7th of Godfrey's Triumph, 1955	Alive	Unwed	Thirdborn daughter of Marlene and Siegmund and the twin of Guinevere in the fraternal triplets. Sent to a nunnery in 1968.
Siegmunda Agnes von Reuss	20th of Tobias' Bounty, 1957	Alive	Unwed	Fourthborn daughter of Marlene and Siegmund, named after her father.