As It Began, So It Ends

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

Spoiler

 

 

[!] The Princess of Pruvia, Anna Maria, circa 1745.

 

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It had been a few days since their arrival in Provins, the small countryside estate that the ailing Princess of Pruvia had once called home before she ventured to the far-off Kaedrin. Her children had gathered there as well, to see their mothering in her final hours. Her hair had lightened and dark circles dared to take the coloring from her pale features. Her vision, often blurred otherwise by the headaches that pained her so, always averted towards the open window.

 

In her time of reflection, her room stinking of illness and death, she found solace in her oldest memories. Her mother and father, and Casa de Rafal, where she had lived her earliest days under the care of her grandmother, the Dowager-Empress Annunziata. Her handful of tutors, in debt to her grandsire, who had been so sure to leave their very best knowledge with the young Pruvian. She recalled the tears that fell from her grandmother’s darkened grey gaze as she watched her favorite grandchild depart on a galley, bound for the capital of Helena from the shores of their Aeldinic home.

 

Her formative years in the Novellen had been her truest bliss, where she could be carefree while also reveling in her inherent arrogance. She found friendship in the young girl she might otherwise have been jealous of: The Princess Imperial, Anne Augusta of Helane. So much time spent, in the hopes that one day she might see her friend rule over their country of Oren in glory and wisdom. She found an idol in Simon Basrid, whom she doted on like a daughter might do so to her own father. She certainly saw him as a paternal figure, and would until her dying breath.

 

And Cyrus. The man, her elder, but so kind and protective of her. She had married him for the sake of her family lineage, but she knew that sooner or later, she would allow such a man into her heart. He brought her a true family, both uniting her to her mentor and providing her with the children upon which she would dote.

 

Lorena, she admitted to herself, wheezing and coughing into her sheet, had been unexpected. A girl she had much ignored, for all the praise she had afforded Anne Augusta, but later found to have much in common with herself. With her blackened curls and barrage of witty insults, she sometimes wondered why she cared for the other Helane girl as much as she did. Because, she realized, Lorena was the sister she had always wanted. The one who might challenge her, but also respect her for who she was. To be honest with her when others might pay her courtesy. She had taken pride in being allowed to tend to the Princess’ children, in the hopes they might take a piece of her with them as they grew older.

 

John Michael, of course, was her final thought. Her handsome boy, her heir in so much more than just the physical sense. He had so much of her intelligence, and embodied the goodness and humility that she herself had never garnered for herself. He would care for his sisters and little brother, and comfort their widowed father after she had departed from their world of the living.

 

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Her eyes closed, and when they opened, she stood in a hall of marble and tile, draped in tapestries of woven gold and silver. On either side, a procession of peoples, all dressed in glittering apparel, applauded her as she slowly stepped up to the dais. Lifting her mismatched gaze, a rare feature she not often mentioned or took particular pride in, she saw a great throne, empty and beckoning her forward. Beside it, stood her grandmother Annunziata, and the man she had idolized since her youth: Her grandsire, the Emperor Joseph of Marna. He took her hand, with such fatherly tenderness, and gave her a nod of his approval. She inhaled, exhaling and allowing the stresses of her mortal time to pass from her. She turned, and lowered herself into the seat that her grandfather had waited to give her.

 

As she heard the thunder of the chamber’s applause, she allowed her eyes to close, and then she was at peace.

 

⚜️

 

The Will of the Princess of Pruvia

- To my son, John Michael Pruvia, I leave his rightful inheritance as Prince of Pruvia, as well as our family home of Marble Hall. I leave his remaining minority in the hands of his father and uncle, Cyrus Basrid and Simon Basrid. I also ask that he consider forming a new house, one of both Pruvia and Basrid, as to forge a new future for himself beyond the woes of his mother and grandsire. @Bloodlest

 

- To my daughters, Anne and Adelaide Pruvia, I leave any jewels and gowns from my plentiful wardrobe, to wear in memory of their mother. @Dasdi

 

- To Anne Augusta, the Princess Imperial, and my dearest Lorena Antonia, I leave joint-use of Marble Hall as my final gift to you both, in the hopes that you might mend your sisterhood after I can no longer be of service to either of you. @DreamInSpace @Starryy

 

- To my beloved Cyrus, I leave my children, and my wealth, to use as you see fit. I also leave to you my eternal love and devotion, as it was so fervent in life. @erik0821

 

- To His Imperial Majesty, I leave my thanks for your faith in a young woman, and the grant of Provins to be overseen by myself in my lifetime. I ask you allow such a privilege to pass unto my son, to be shared by the houses of Pruvia and Basrid to serve as a retreat for your hard-working courtiers and kinsmen at your pleasure. @ARCHITECUS

 

- To the Archchancellor, Simon Basrid, I leave you my daughter, Adelaide, as a ward and surrogate child, since I know you have been unlucky in the loss of your children in the past. I also leave you with the knowledge that you did raise one child, at the very least, one who was entirely devoted to making you so very proud. @Cracker

 

⚜️

 

⚜️

 

Anna Maria Pruvia

Princess of Pruvia

1729 – 1768

 

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Spoiler

Thanks to everyone who put up with this fussy, snotty girl. Regardless of the experiences we had, I appreciate the story I was able to tell with this woman, and hope to leave behind watching over Pruvia after 4+ years to have some new adventures!

 

 

 

 

[marilka 552]

Vespira Helane emitted a hoarse sigh, creasing the missive cradled between gaunt fingers. Resigning herself to the veranda, she thought back on her interactions, though limited, with the spirited Anna Maria. 

 

”Death is a wretched thing,” the beldam brayed, pressing the parchment to her chest, ”but still more terrible is the thought that we might live forever and never die.”  Subdued to a sullen silence, she spoke holy words over the memory of the Princess of Pruvia.

[DahStalker 3692]

Reserved 

[SerFinnick 445]

Philip Louis mourns the death of his Cousin silently from his office within Helena. He sends word to his brothers, uncle, nephews and nieces informing them of his disposition to assist in the funeral preparations.

 

He signs the Lorraine, saying a silent prayer as he looks upward, confident she looks down on her family from the Seven.

 

---

 

[rukio 8924]

Elene would sigh, breaking her vow of silence at the death of someone she had known since she was a young child. ”Rest in peace, miss Annna Marie. I know your family will look forward to reuniting some day, when their time comes.” 

[ErikAzog 3575]

Cyrus returning from the dock of Provins, his fishing rod hanging behind him, a C&C cigar hanging from his mouth, as he arrived to Marble hall he could see the commotion, “What’s going on here?” The now elderly man would ask, only for a servant to respond to him with the terrible news. His fishing rod falling from his arms, and his cigar from his mouth. “God.” would be the last thing he uttered, before collapsing. 

[brujera 1152]

John-Henry sat besides his eldest in her last moments. “I shall join you and your mother soon, in the skies above.” He’d wipe away his welled up tears. “You have made me so proud. You have lived up to your namesake and exceeded our expectations,” He continued between sobs. “It is alright. You can let go, Anna.” He clutch her hand as she took her last breaths. He felt her go limp as her mortal soul ascended to the Seven Skies.

[Eryane 3698]

Upon the Princess of Pruvia’s ascension to the seven skies, Maya Barbanov would step away from the place she had made her home among her fallen friends and family to welcome her. Although she was not in great acquaintance of the woman, she knew of her and all that she contributed. Strong, dedicated – and undoubtedly enduring throughout the most difficult of obstacles. “You have given your all, been in service for the greater good, and deserve the peace which is now at your fingertips.”

[Bawg 494]

John Michael hadn’t heard of the news as he was on a patrol around the Crownlands. He was stopped by grieving relatives in Helena Square with the news of his mother’s death. Captain d’Arkent quickly collected him and took him to the Bastille to give the horrid news of his mother’s passing in her sleep. Many emotions swell in the young boy’s thoughts as he struggles to keep strong for his siblings.

 

He is thankful that he always told his mother how much she meant to him and that when she passed that she knew in confidence.

[ydegirl 2357]

Adrienne, the late Pruvia’s ward screamed in her room, in her family’s manor in Kaedrin. She punched her pillows; wailing in grief as the Pruvia left. “No!” She shouted, “No! She still had so much to teach me!” She screamed out, her mind racing. It seemed she could never calm down, she’d only know the Princess for a few years, yet, She looked up to her; as if she were her own mother. Her pillow was wet, her tears absorbing into it. “Kaedrin won’t be the same without you, Miss Anna Maria!” She blurted out, drifting off into a sleep of her own, only to wake up hours later.

[capiital 275]

The young Vivian Marie quietly made her way up the stairs of the Dubois Estate in Kaedrin after hearing her sister’s screams and cries from downstairs. The seven year old girl opened the door slightly so only her eye could be shown from behind the door and watched as Adrienne cried into her pillow. But, she didn’t do anything. Just stood there. She watched while tears feel from her face onto the wooden floor... Vivi would muffle, “Goodbye, Miss Anna Marie.” As she shut the door, descending the stairs and dashing outside.

[Cracker 4570]

After some thoughtful recollection with family, Simon prepares to organize a funeral in Marble Hall for his sister in law. (4 PM EST, Sat)