Lysara Caerthall Varethian
Though many years have passed since her death, Queen Lysara Varethian's presence still lingers in Eldoria like a beautiful melody that refuses to fade. Known as "The Ivory Rose of Eldoria," Lysara captured the hearts of both nobility and commoners with her rare combination of ethereal beauty and genuine warmth. Her platinum-blonde hair, nearly white in certain lights, framed a face memorable not just for its classic beauty but for the kindness that radiated from her soft violet eyes—a trait many attributed to her rumored fey ancestry.
Unlike many royal consorts who remained aloof from matters of state, Lysara was an active and influential queen. Her political acumen, coupled with a natural talent for diplomacy, made her an invaluable partner to King Alden. Where he excelled in matters of defense and direct action, she navigated the complex web of noble politics with graceful precision. Many of Eldoria's most successful diplomatic alliances were her doing, crafted through careful conversation and genuine relationship-building rather than mere calculation.
Perhaps most remarkably, Lysara managed to maintain her connection to the common people despite her elevated position. She regularly toured the kingdom, visiting villages and towns that rarely saw royal attention. She established charities that continue their work to this day, focusing particularly on education and care for those orphaned by conflict. These actions earned her a level of popular adoration rare for members of the royal family, creating a legacy that makes her absence all the more keenly felt.
Her sudden death at thirty-two shocked the kingdom and left a void that has never truly been filled. Officially, a swift-moving illness claimed her life before court physicians could intervene. However, the timing—just as she had begun to express concerns about certain noble houses' ambitions—has fueled persistent rumors of assassination. These suspicions intensified when Evelyne Duskbane, from one of the houses Lysara had been investigating, married King Alden barely a year after the queen's death.
For Princess Seraphina, who was only three when her mother died, Lysara exists primarily through stories told by loyal servants and the handful of personal items she left behind. Most precious among these is a delicate silver locket containing a portrait of Lysara holding infant Seraphina, along with a strand of the queen's distinctive platinum hair. The princess wears this locket constantly, hidden beneath her clothing, as a connection to the mother she barely remembers.
Some in Eldoria whisper of a greater legacy left by Queen Lysara—a secret she intended to reveal but never had the chance. Rumors speak of hidden knowledge about the kingdom's magical defenses, or perhaps about the true nature of the Varethian bloodline's connection to the fey. Whether these rumors hold any truth remains unknown, but they add another layer to the mystery surrounding the beloved queen's untimely death.
Relationships
Comments