DKing: King Frederic Gaspard Henri Philippe Robert (35)
DQueen: Queen Ysabel Araceli Luisa Xiomara, Princess of Mal (deceased at 27)
DQueen2: Queen Suzume Hato Naomi Yume* "Suzi", Princess of Shiroin (18)
IllegitimateSon: Chevalier Piers Robin Frederic (18)
DPrincess1: Princess Alouette Araceli Lucille Pascaline (9)
DPrince2: Prince Armel Gaspard Dieudonne Mael Louis (deceased at 3 days)
DPrincess3/DPrincess4: Princess Estelle Clarisse Jacqueline Xiomara / Princess Oceane Ysabel Sophie Eloise (6)
DPrince5: Crown Prince Remy Louis Adrien Philippe Hilare (1)
After the twins were born, miscarriages plagued Queen Ysabel. She conceived many times but always lost the pregnancy. The royal doctors didn't believe she would ever be able to carry another child to term.
However, when Princesses Estelle and Oceane were five, the queen conceived again. She fully expected to lose this pregnancy too, but she didn't. What's more, she didn't feel sick or weak like she had with her previous two pregnancies. For a time, the king rejoiced. Perhaps she had recovered and would give him the son they had been hoping for.
It became quickly apparent, though, that something wasn't quite right. Her belly swelled with the child inside of her, but everywhere else she was losing weight. Her normally olive complexion became pale. One morning, during the queen's eighth month of pregnancy, the king woke to find his wife not breathing, though her skin was still warm. Frightened, he summoned the doctors, who came running. They quickly realized that there was no saving the queen - but, moving fast, they were able to save the baby inside of her. Less than a half-hour after the king found his wife dead, he was presented with his new child, a small but healthy son. The kingdom's new Crown Prince.
The princesses were inconsolable at the loss of their mother - particularly Alouette, who had always been very close to her. King Frederic took it hard as well. He wouldn't say he had necessarily been in love with Ysabel, but she had been his companion for close to a decade and he had respected her and cared for her. She gave him daughters that he loved - and had lost her life to give him an heir. To distract him from his grief, he spent much of his time caring for his new son, whom he named Remy. He also gave him the middle name of Louis, after both the deceased queen and the first prince, who had died as a baby.
Piers was called away from Chevalier training to attend the queen's funeral, as well as to meet his new half-brother. He was appropriately solemn and respectful, but beneath his calm exterior it was apparent that he was anxious to return to his training and viewed it as something of a waste of time - after all, he was only three years from finishing his training and officially becoming a Chevalier. King Frederic allowed him to return early.
A year after the queen's death, the king's advisors began to suggest that the king marry again. The princesses could use a strong female influence, they said, and the Crown Prince would need a mother. King Frederic agreed, and decided to leave the task of finding a suitable wife mostly in their hands. They chose for him a princess named Suzume, the youngest and only unwed daughter of the king of a realm called Shiroin. The king wasn't sure how he felt about marrying a girl the same age as his eldest child, but Shiroin was a country that would make a strong economical ally, so he ultimately agreed to the match.
Nothing could have prepared him for Suzume - or Suzi, as she insisted on being called. She seemed to be made of pure energy, chattering away in the little French she knew constantly. Suzi took to the princesses instantly, and while they were initially wary of their new stepmother, they did begin to warm to her, forming an almost sisterly bond with the young queen. Remy, who had been calling the nursemaid caring for him "maman," bawled the first time he was placed into Suzi's arms. Undaunted, Suzume spent more and more time with him every day, and soon he was calling her "Maman Suzi."
King Frederic had something of a difficult time keeping up with his new queen, but he appreciated the energy she brought to a castle and kingdom that had seen its share of tragedy. She didn't seem to particularly need or require his love, but he did find himself becoming very fond of her.
*I took a bit of artistic license with Suzume's name and used the Japanese words for "dove" and "dream" as middle names, since they were listed in the namebank. Hope that's okay!
This message was edited 7/22/2010, 1:41 PM