Crown Princess Helena Wilem

Crown Princess Helena Wilem was the daughter of Queen Cycilia Wilem of Flowers and Prince Gerart Skjoldir. She was meant to become the Queen of Flowers upon her age of majority, however she never agreed to an official coronation, ruling as Crown Princess from 25 to 42 CE. 
== Biography ==
=== Early Life ===
Helena would be born on 11 Hor 10 CE to parents Queen Cycilia Wilem of Flowers and Prince Gerart Skjoldir at the palace Evermere in Wilemberg, Fleur. The delivery was troubled as was the entire pregnancy, leaving Cycilia weak. She became ill, catching an infection from the afterbirth which remained trapped inside her, and she died three weeks later on the 1st Igna. Because of this, Fleur was left suddenly without a suitable monarch, causing much trouble for the kingdom. In response, a great council was gathered and it was decided that the honorable Hestia Wilem the Lionsbane would become the young princess' regent until she came of age. 
Her father showed little interest in Helena, instead focusing on her older brother, Josef. Up until this point, the son had been in the care of Bernice Wilem. He was moved back into the palace and pampered excessively by her father while Helena herself was mostly ignored. Her guardian and regent, Hestia Wilem the Lionsbane, became a mother figure for the young girl. Similarly, she was visited often by her cousin, Mia of the Lily, from 11 to 20 CE, when the young Mia was attending college and prior to her affair with Lord Alfred Ganeyev. Helena loved Mia very much and was heartbroken by her death in 27 CE. 
Helena spent most of her childhood being educated by her tutors and Hestia. She was allowed few interactions with other children her age, save for her many visiting cousins. She was plagued by melancholic episodes, beginning around age twelve and continuing throughout her life. Helena took a tour of Fleur in 24 CE, visiting each city as well as the island of Vil. Following the Fleurian tour, she'd visit also the capitals of other kingdoms, such as Isgerdia and Kalda. It was at the former where she met her future husband, Calvan Herminov, a distant cousin descended of her great aunt Helia Herminov. The two fell instantly in love and it is rumored that they snuck off to sleep together the night they met, though this is only a rumor.
On 11 Hor 25 CE, Helena would reach the age of majority and take over the rule of the kingdom from her regent Hestia. 
=== As Ruler of Fleur ===
A coronation was much anticipated, however Helena declined to do so, claiming the coffers of Fleur too empty and the time not right. She'd instead rule as a Crown Princess. In 26 CE she'd marry Calvan Herminov in a humble ceremony in Wilemberg before proceeding to Isgerdia for the reception. This strengthened Fleur's connection with Korevna, which Hestia had strained. The following year on 3 Vilja 27 CE she would have her first child, a daughter named Minerva. Another daughter would follow on 24 Vilja 30 CE and a son on 9 Bor 33 CE. Helena was a kind mother, though somewhat detached. She was madly in love with their father and could only spare some of that love for the children. 
As a ruler, Helena was decently capable. She strengthened relations with the other Northern nations. Her policies kept Fleur somewhat stable, until 42 CE. On 17 Caed 42 CE, Helena, under growing threat of invasion from the south and pressure from the Korevnans, willingly joined the Arimanian Empire. Religiously, she had become a devout Justainian by her husband's influence and felt this the only way to avoid conflict with the Empire. The decision immediately made Fleur a property of the Empire as well as a increased the power of the High King over the nation. The state religion was also changed to Justainism, which at the time, was slightly a minority religion. This latter play was largely unpopular with the Ihjargan immigrant and refugee population who until this point were allowed to practice their native religion. 
This move was massively unpopular. A week after the decision was made, among massive civil unrest, Helena abdicated the throne to her soon-to-be fifteen year old daughter and fled the country. Under the cover of night, her and Calvan fled to Korevna, where they would live in hiding. 
=== Exile ===
Helena and Calvan would keep a low profile after absconding from Fleur. They would stay with nobility, moving house frequently, and eventually falling on hard times in the 60s. Bordering on becoming impoverished, the two would rent a small townhouse in Vadvik until their funds diminished entirely in 70 CE. At that time, their son, Kyle Wilem, was living in Uruk where he had established a massive trading empire. He answered their request for shelter and on 19 Hor they arrived in Sikkud. The couple would remain there, living in their sons lavish palace. Helena would die on 20 Vilja 74 CE. She was mummified, as is the custom in Uruk, and her body placed in Kyle's elaborate funerary monument outside the city. 
== Appearance ==
Helena looked very much like her mother Cycilia, having light hair and pale skin. Her face was harsher, however, with somewhat sharp features. Her eyes were green.
Category:Characters
Category:Fleurian Characters
Category:House Wilem
Category:Calf