Sophie Clémentine of Provins
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Lady Sophie of Provins (5th of Horen’s Calling, 1849 - Present) was the youngest of the famed Madames de Provins of the early 1800s, styled after the socialite group of which her mother was a part, the Madames de Savoie. She served as a deputy in her youth on the Council of Emperor Philip II and Empress Anastasia I and as Lady Registrar under King Frederick I.
Upon her emergence into social life at the courts of Charlotte of Aldersberg, and later Empress Anastasia I, Sophie was primed to be betrothed to the crown heir by her mother, and it is suspected that Empress Anastasia played a part in such.
Contents
Early life
Due to the untimely birth, only hours after the burning of the previous seat of House Pruvia, she was dubbed 'The Phoenix of Provins' within her own household. The nature of her birth is somewhat accredited to her fiery disposition in childhood, often finding herself in mischief about the The Château de Preussens and Court of Oren. However, despite her somewhat unladylike demeanor she was quickly noticed by the current Lady of the Court, Princess Charlotte Augusta of Aldersberg. The Princess of Aldersberg somehow enjoyed Sophie, saying once that "She possesses such vigor and sense of self, though her disposition is somewhat unfavorable for life at court." Almost immediately letters were exchanged between Sophie's mother and Charlotte of Aldersberg regarding a betrothal between Sophie and her step-son, Prince Peter Augustus, (at the time) Holy Orenian Heir.
Life at Court & Adolescence
Though her first real experience of court was the crowning of Emperor Philip III in Savoy, Sophie was not a true courtier of Oren until she was nearly age thirteen when she joined her mother and sisters in the Aster Courts. The Pruvian did not take a liking to the courts, and even went as far as to protest the stuffy protocol and strict etiquette put in place. In one specific instance she dropped an egg atop the head of some passing by courtiers from a second story window then proceeded to argue with the aforementioned courtiers about how the object must have fallen from the sky. These sorts of stunts happened often, the most notable of which being an argument Sophie had with the Princess Anna Ulyssa(Later styled Holy Mother Anna Ulyssa of the Canonistic Church), who later became a close friend. Her childish schemes at court reached a peak when her mother tried to lock her away in a convent, though the sharp witted girl escaped only a month later, much to her mother's displeasure. Despite her antics Sophie managed to make few enemies at court. Though she was somewhat popular among the courtiers, she only maintained a handful of close friends, most notably Princess Anna Ulyssa, and earlier in childhood, Georgiana Marie Aldersberg. Often times Sophie was seen off with one of her few close friends, whispering something, during the pompous proceedings of the Aster Court.
Outside of court the Provins enjoyed life at her family's countryside estate, taking part in many rituals and rites of the culturally rich family, one of which being the Maturation Hivernale [1], or the Winter Rite. This event played a large role in Sophie's childhood as she had always felt as the least of her sisters, the Madames de Provins, being the youngest of the three, however at the maturing rite Sophie rose above them both as 'Winter Princess'. This sparked a series of events that would replace her elder sister Anastasie Therese in her mother's plot for one of her daughters to succeed the current Empress Anastasia of Kositz as Empress consort of Oren in favor of Sophie. Following this letters were exchanged between the Provins Viscountess and Empress Anastasia in an attempt to put such a plan in motion.
Betrothal to Crown Prince Peter Augustus & The Social Season of 1856
Following her ascension from adolescence, marked by the Rite of Maturation traditionally practiced by the Campagnois peoples, Sophie's life at court was elevated quite quickly. For she was named the premiere debutante of her generation, or the Springtime Princesse, thus the eyes of the court were quickly drawn to the young Pruvian girl. Shortly after the private maturation of the Campagnois, the formal Social Season - named Astercalia at the time - was hosted by Empress Anastasia. Only a week or two prior to the season, Sophie's elder sister arranged a private luncheon with the ladies of House Pruvia and the Empress to discuss a prospective union between the Crown Prince, Peter Augustus, and Sophie - hoping to see a continuation of the prior Empress-to-be's favor of the youngest Pruvian girl. To no avail, the unrelenting Empress of Oren offered little aid in the Pruvian's bid for the crown offering only that she wished for her son to select his own Empress from the wide array of women that were likely to be laid before him. However, only a year or two prior rumors of the Empress' meddling in her son's affairs arose as the crown prince was betrothed to Ioanna of Susa. This only increased Sophie's bitterness at court, and what she perceived to be the crown prince's choosing, later pushed her - alongside her sisters - to side with Frederick Charles as opposed to Peter Augustus in the Brother's War.
Marriage & Countess of Susa
In an almost comical turn of events, Sophie went on the wed her previous foe, Ioanna of Susa's, cousin raising her to station of Countess of Susa. As countess Sophie was formidable and meticulous, she oversaw the Susan accounts with a watchful eye and argued with members of the Privy Council - on which she also sat - regarding taxation of lands they did not use. Shortly after their private union Sophie was invited by the newly installed King Frederick to sit on his Privy Council as Lady Registrar after many years of private advisory to the crown. This only furthered the domineering Countess' influence as she utilized the position, alongside her mother the Privy Seal, to vest much of the kingdom's power within the Privy Council and subsequently herself.
Unfortunately, only a few short years after Sophie's union to Count of Susa, the Kingdom of Oren would fall to their overzealous Baronial vassal in exchange for the Harvest Confederation.
Issue
| Name | Birth | Death | Marriage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justinian Nafis Basrid | 1875 | Alive | Unwed | Firstborn child to Sophie and Count Aleksandr of Susa. Heir to the County of Susa |
| Kareena Dionne Basrid | 1884 | Alive | Unwed | Secondborn child to Sophie and Count Aleksandr of Susa. |
Titles, Styles, and Honors
Titles and Styles
- 1849-1884: The Honourable The Lady Sophie Clémentine Pruvia of Provins
- 1872-1884: Her Excellency The Lady Registrar of the Registry
- 1874-1884: The Right Honourable The Countess consort of Susa
- 1886-present: The Right Honourable The Dowager Countess of Susa
- 1903-present: Her Excellency The Chamberlain of the Household
