Lucinda I Sovenos

"*Family constitutes love. It is not where your blood flows, rather where your heart rests*"
―**Lucinda the Great**[src]

## Early life

### Family Turmoil

Queen Lucinda I was born into a royal family known for its intricate power plays and complex dynamics. Raised during the reign of her father, Oz II, she was introduced to the world of politics, ambitions, and court intrigue from an early age. But Lucinda was different; she yearned for something beyond the confines of her regal upbringing. She had three siblings Paersefa, Nala, and Lea, all of whom played significant roles in her life.

As the eldest child, Lucinda embarked on a journey of self-discovery while her younger siblings, Nala and Lea, eagerly pursued their ambitions in the court of their father, Oz II. Lea's child was called Gaele, a sweet and spirited child who was often in Lucinda's company. A blind man could've foreseen what was afoot between Nala and Lea. They spent most of their time beside their father in court as Lucinda traveled the world.

### An Unexpected Child

In her early twenties, as her father's reign began, Lucinda embarked on a daring journey far beyond her kingdom's borders, an expedition that would shape her life and the course of her reign. Her travels took her beyond the long channel into the realm of the Fenexu, a people who had a profound connection with nature and an obsession with fire. These "Fire People" clothed themselves only in what nature provided and worshiped fire as a source of life and power.

Lucinda's time spent with the Fire People opened her eyes to a different way of life, one that challenged her royal upbringing and introduced her to nature's raw power. She embraced their traditions and spirituality, experiencing a profound connection to the world around her.

## Voyage Into the Volcanic Heart of the Redlands

Lucinda's journey did not stop with the Fire People. Her insatiable curiosity led her further east, into the enigmatic "Redlands," a place dominated by towering volcanoes and inhabited by people adorned with peculiar tattoos. The Redlands was a land of geothermal wonders, a stark contrast to the lush greenery of her homeland.

It was there that Lucinda's life took an unexpected turn. She encountered a young boy with striking white hair, cradling a helpless baby brother. Lucinda couldn't ignore the plight of these two brothers and offered her help. She spent months with the white-haired boy, aiding him in raising the infant. A deep bond formed between them, and Lucinda grew to love the child as her own. She and the white haired boy named the child, Yassineo, meaning giant in the local tongue.

### A Mother's Choice

One fateful day, the white-haired boy mysteriously vanished, leaving Lucinda with the responsibility of caring for the baby. Her journey and her destiny took an unforeseen path as she felt an unwavering need to protect and nurture the child. She made the heartfelt decision to return to the Forestlands, her kingdom, with the young boy.

## Sibling Rivalry

When Lucinda came back, Lea and Nala were furious. They had worked hard for years, just for Lucinda to come back and steal the throne back from under them. Using the child as a crutch, they pushed for their father to remove Lucinda from the line of succession unless she brought them to the clan and crown, but Oz II refused. Oz II was thrilled to see his daughter come home and was even more happy to see her caring for a child. Although birthing bastards was unacceptable, Lucinda could prove to her father and the court that she had not birthed the child herself. The Red temple and the clergy found it in their heart to accept the child and so did king Oz II.

### The Passing of a King

Tragedy struck when King Oz II passed away when Lucinda was 32 years old. Immediately, her younger siblings, Lea and Nala, launched a campaign to undermine Lucinda's impending coronation. They sought to discredit her, challenging her right to rule the kingdom, siting her birthing of a bastard in the savage foreign lands. However, their endeavors would soon unravel, revealing a critical miscalculation Lucinda, the crown princess, was known and beloved across the entire nation. The people's and most grandprinces' loyalty rested firmly with her, and her siblings had failed to garner any meaningful support outside of Grandoak. Lucinda's swift and decisive action during this period defined her reign. She demonstrated strength and a fierce sense of justice. With the backing of key dukes in Trandill, she had her siblings executed for their treasonous actions. Despite the difficult decisions she was forced to make, Lucinda's leadership retained the people's respect. On the same year, her mother, Queen Corana, took her own life in grief.

## A Legacy of Kindness

Lucinda was known for her benevolence, a trait she inherited from her father. She was as kind as Oz II was beloved, ruling with a compassionate and fair hand. Despite her successful reign, she never took a lover, nor did she marry or bear any children of her own. Instead, she adopted her sister Lea's child, Gaele Arania, after having Lea and Lena executed for treason, ensuring her sister's legacy lived on. Lucinda also adopted a boy named Yassineo, further cementing her legacy of unity and family.

### The Uniter

As Lucinda ascended to the throne of the Forestlands, she brought with her a newfound wisdom and perspective that transcended the political games of the court. Her reign was marked by a unique blend of traditional rule and the influence of the Fire People and the enigmatic Redlands. Her wisdom in solving difficult clan issues earned her the "The great" title among Forestlanders, although Blackstone seemed never satisfied with her being.

She became a queen who united not only different realms but also the hearts of her subjects. Her time with the Fire People, her adventurous journey into the Redlands, and the bond with the white-haired boy she raised all contributed to her ability to rule with a compassionate and open-hearted approach. Her reign marked an era of unity, kindness, and the nurturing of a bright future for Gaele Arania and Yassineo. Queen Lucinda I's legacy was defined by her quest for self-discovery, the forging of deep connections with distant lands, and the profound love she held for the children she adopted. It showcased her strength, wisdom, and benevolence as a ruler, leaving a lasting impact on the people of Grandoak.