A Flower Left to Wilt [PK]

[koanda 620]

A Flower Left to Wilt

20th of Owyn’s Light, 1745
 

Spoiler

Light - Sleeping at Last

 

 

 

“We, Devereux, do not break easy, cousin, do not forget this.”
Pierce’s words would echo through her life, but these in particular were her foundation. She would forge herself into an unbreakable woman, one to make her kin proud.
 

---

 

Even as a girl, Ester’s presence was one hardly rivaled. Her spirit warmed the dusty halls of the nearly empty palace & her laughter lifted the gloom of the dreary, cold air of the Kingdom. Each trial in her life was something she faced with a smile, regardless of the pain left in its wake. None harder than the loss of her closest kin which cut her deeply, but resilience was embedded into the girls soul.
 

Her strength lay dormant much of her life, only showing to those nearest her. When things became hard, Ester was never one to shy away. “We do not break.” She’d assure herself as she stared opposition in the face time and time again. But at no point did these qualities mean more than when she chose to go home in the hopes of saving it.

Her return to Avalain was sudden and came with it many hardships, but Ester was intent on moving forward, ever the persistent person she was. A great weight was set upon the now Governess, her nation that had once thrived stood at the edge of ruin. Determined to make a place for Curon in a time where it had nearly been forgotten, she had a daunting task ahead. Despite the doubts of some and the state of her nation, she began rebuilding.

 

With time came progress for the Devereux, the realm of Avalain starting to show promise. Though with progress and time comes difficulties, and as they do everyone, began to wear Ester down. The constant pressure to keep things afloat loomed over her, making even the simplest day to day of her life strenuous. Despite the stress of all that had come with her title, the Governess kept on, her weariness outweighed by the will to see Curon succeed. 

 

As Ester wandered through the lifeless streets of Astorga, the quiet of the crashing waves allowed her a single moment of peace unconcerned with the danger that lingered. Her eyes fell closed as she breathed the salty air that surrounded her, a soft smile on her lips as she reminisced on the earliest years of her life spent along these very shores. Just as quickly as she had relaxed, the tranquility was broken by three words spoken by a familiar voice. “Eja, good Regent.” 

 

She stood tall as Augustus and his three men surrounded her, the woman’s resolve remaining unbroken even in the face of certain death. After a few harsh words were spoken by the pair, Ester would question the Vilac’s assertion, “Your land? This land is Curonian, I doubt my People will allow a pretender Horen to have it.” After her remark, a Morsgradi man approached her and sent a heavy hand across her face. Few would expect Ester’s response, stepping toward the man as she raised her dagger to his throat, the blade digging into his skin. But something stopped her, perhaps it was her desire for the bloodshed to finally end, “I am no senseless murderer. Not like the rest of you. So please, move away from me, runt.”

In time she was tied, and escorted back to Morsgrad. Her head held high as she took her place before the Ash Tree, her clothes tattered and hands bound but a proud woman nonetheless. Most of what was spoken did not phase her, but one. “I bear the sins of my forefathers, so do you. Our lives were never our own to live.” Godric may not have offered them as comfort to his captive, but they chimed with truth & resonated. She had lived the life she was meant to, a life of courage and honor; a journey befitting the bear she was.

“Have you any last words before you breathe your last?” The Duke rumbled to the woman before him. With this came the first crack in Ester’s stoicism as the realization crept into her mind. “My children, I am trusting you to keep them safe from your men.” Her eyes grew glossy as she lowered her head, taking the few moments she had left to reminisce on the time she had spent with them, days she would have done anything to have back. “You have my word that they will not be harmed if it is within my power to prevent.” His oath was all she needed, allowing the woman to find solace in her end. “I will not break” She’d utter a final time as she awaited Augustus’ blade.

With her last moments, the Devereux only thought of her family. Whether it through blood or bonds, she thought of those that had been by her side throughout her life. Her thoughts drifted to the most paramount of those close to her, her children, her cousin, the Alimar’s. Her faith in the Duke and his promises held, her only hope for a future for her crows. Her thoughts were then ended abruptly, her life cut short at the base of the Ash Tree.
 

---

 

Princess Ester Rose Devereux

1710 – 1745

[Kursion 463]

Tobias Merentel would start crying as soon as he heard the tragedy “Is not fair… Rest in peace, may GOD take care of you” he’d say

[BardMainHere 310]

Augustus Vilac cleans off his blade, after returning her body to the city of Curon. “Although I spent my time hunting you, I will continue to hold respect for your undying loyalty to your people, Ester Rose.” He says, as he dips the missive into his fireplace within his family’s manor, watching the flames eat away at it, before it is reduced to ash. 

 

“If only you could have remained with us, and see what had become of the wretches that had the gall to insult you when you were still married to Vladrick.” He laments, fond memories rushing through his memory.

[auLune 400]

News of Ester’s death reached John Nicholas while he was in his room at Warwick Castle. The man opened the letter, after reading it, he hummed an old melody for the fallen monarch, lowered himself to his rocky chair, as he swindled next to the window, almost a sad gaze upon his visage “I wish this all could’ve been prevented.”
The man said, letting the missive slip from his hands towards the fireplace “She was right about something, she never truly broke”

[Narthok 10416]

“You died standing” Godric would mutter

[Callum 1009]

Chadwick lay underneath the stairs in the royal palace in tears as he heard the news. He had failed his Queen just as his elder failed another Devereux. He glances up to see a lone rope hanging from the roof before just closing his eyes beginning to pray. The Guard would no longer be seen patrolling the roads or tending to the mines...

[rukio 8924]

Edyth would recall her first and last encounter with Ester, a fateful argument. ”Though we didn’t see eye to eye I hope she rests well and her god accepts her in the afterlife.” 

[Blanchables 528]

Pierce would greet the Devereux woman with open arms, alongside his fallen lineage, in the Seven Skies. He’d gently place a kiss on her head as he wrapped his arms around her once more.

 

”And break, you did not.”

[shortchangehero 4217]

A Lothranian knight upon hearing the news mumbled a short prayer and signed the Lorraine cross.

 

“Send word to Ser Groke of House Vaergon; a monument for princess Ester Rose Devereux will be constructed under his command as the head architect,”

 

ordered the knight, a messenger nodding and bowing before rushing off. The same knight afterwards headed to Darrowmere’s church and prayed on his knees for the rest of that day.

 

 

 

[Axelu 4333]

“Let us meet for tea soon, my lady?”

 

”Indeed, Your Majesty. Let’s,” Milena of Adria once recalled the Devereux woman to have said.

 

They had known each other since Ester’s marriage ceremony, in which the young Queen consort attended at Rubern. Instantly, Milena recognized the strength in the eyes of the Princess Royal. They strolled together, and spoke briefly.

 

They never had that tea – in life, anyhow.

 

Now, in death, they had all the time in the world to reacquaint themselves.

 

”Won’t you join me, Your Majesty?” comments Ester Devereux.

 

”Let’s, Your Majesty,” Milena would curtly reply. ”Join us, young Alexandria.”

 

And so, the two Queens and the young princess, taken so soon, were together at last.

 

 

[BenevolentManacles 2232]

John buried his face in his hands, swelling with rage.

[MongolKhan 255]

The Black Prince. The former Husband of Ester sat within the confines of his wooded camp. A small smile rose upon his face as he heard of the news. His scarred countenance lacked little emotion usually but this motion had simply given him some form of happiness. He prepared to write a letter, ready to send to his children and most of all, the concubine he so dearly wished to end. 

[RoamingRonin 635]

The man cloaked in white sighed, as he left the steps of Curon with the men of Morsgrad, delivering the body of the princess, as a sign of respect. 

 

He was sick to his stomach, but refused to show it. 

 

 

[Froschli 838]

Johannes I fingerguns Ester upon entering the seven skies “Ayyyyy!”

[Jaigalar 541]

Godfric stares off into space at the mention of the death of Ester, remaining silent on the matter he would make his journey home, hoping for a good place to be alone.