Queen Hestia Wilem of Flowers

Queen Hestia Wilem of Flowers at age 30.

Queen Imogen Wilem II of Flowers (grandmother, deceased)

Princess Helia Wilem (twin sister, deceased)

Prince Nikolas Herminov Wilem (husband, deceased)

Queen Cycilia Wilem of Flowers (daughter, deceased)

Lord Nikolas Wilem II (son, deceased)

Princess Iseult Wilem (daughter, deceased)

Princess Moira Wilem (daughter, deceased)

Lord Josef Wilem (son, deceased)

Lord Frederick Wilem (son, deceased)

Lady Lorelai Wilem of Flowers (adopted daughter, deceased)

Roberte Wilem (adopted son, deceased)

**Queen Hestia Wilem of Flowers** or **Our Beloved Queen** was the ruler of Fleur from 28 AE to 6 ME and is known for strengthening the bonds between Fleur and Korevna. She was preceded by her paternal grandmother, Queen Imogen Wilem II of Flowers, and succeeded by her daughter, Queen Cycilia Wilem of Flowers, though her father, Prince Frederick Wilem, acted as the de facto figurehead of the country from his mother's death until Hestia came of age. She was called *beloved* by the people of Fleur.

## Biography

### Early Life and Marriage to Prince Nikolas

On the 4th of Hathoria of 44 AE, Hestia Wilem was born the eldest of a set of twin girls. Her younger sister, Helia, was born twenty-four minutes after her and with some difficulty to her mother, Lady Grace Wilem. Her father was Prince Frederick Wilem, the shy figurehead that acted as ruler of Fleur, but who in reality merely listened to the whims of his High Council. Hestia's birth was very important for the country, as the birth of a female heir meant that a new Queen of Flowers would be able to once again reign in Wilemberg, something that had at that point not occurred since the death of her paternal grandmother in 76 AE. Overjoyed, her parents called her and her sister their *little rezoauxs*. Hestia was legitimized in the following months as the Princess of Flowers of Fleur and presented to the kingdom in 43 A.E while her sister was presented after as the little princess, a nickname that stuck for the rest of her life. Lady Grace took great interest in her daughters' educations, having them raised similarly to how she had been in her youth.

Hestia excelled in her education, proving to be pleasant and appealing to the court who were humored by her antics. Her good nature helped to make Frederick a more involved person and it was said that his relationship with his wife became much more robust as they spent time together raising their daughters. Their direct involvement in the lives of their children was unprecedented for the royal family at the time, as typically the children were raised by governesses and tutors. This was made possible due to their position as intermediate rulers, acting merely as figureheads until their daughter came of age. Because of this, Frederick and Grace spent a majority of their time raising their children together at Evermere or their country estate near Vark. Frederick was an incredibly doting father, often seen with a girl on each knee recalling tales of fancy and adventure to them. Often Hestia and her sister would swap places, pretending to be one another to prank their staff and family. On one such occasion in 39 AE, Helia pretended to be Hestia during a visitation from High King Korestain Herminov which saw the real Hestia somersault from her place at her mother's side to before the High King where she revealed the ruse. Mortified, Lady Grace began apologizing only to have Korestain burst into laughter. He was said to have remarked that, "In due time, We thinks thy daughter shall be a Queen in her own right." Some time after this meeting, Hestia was betrothed to Prince Nikolas Herminov, second son of the High King.

When she was 16, Hestia was crowned Queen of Flowers on her birthday. Her first decree as Queen was to name her sister her Lady of Flowers, gifting her a special place at court. Some rumors persisted that it was actually Helia who attended the coronation, though solid reasoning as to why could never be decided upon. A year later, on the 9th of Attep 27 AE, Hestia and Nikolas were married in Isgerdia in an elaborate ceremony presided over by the Grand Pontificate Alexandros XII. After the ceremony, the couple consummated their marriage before beginning a grand procession back to Wilemberg, which lasted two weeks. When they arrived, a massive banquet was thrown, which ended with fireworks above the city. As part of the celebration, small egg yolk cakes stamped with the royal lily were distributed among the citizens of Wilemberg. The Queen herself addressed the crowds with her new husband from the East Balcony in a dress that had once belonged to High Queen Nina Herminov, a gift from her father-in-law, which was adorned in three-thousand Median pearls. Already, the young Queen had ingrained herself in the hearts of her people.

### Early Years as Queen of Flowers

As the first Queen of Flowers to reign in Fleur in forty-eight years. She began by lowering taxes on the merchant guilds operating mainly on imported goods, such as porcelain from Media and jewels from Ihjarga, as well as on the imports themselves. Hestia also removed many sumptuary laws put in place by her grandmother. She began a massive construction effort to expand and rebuild the docks at Wilemberg to allow for more international trade, something she believed would help Fleur compete with Korevna. At the time, most shipments of goods from the South came to the North through Angelsk, the city at the end of --- Bay. Because of Korevna's strict Justainian beliefs, the port city was under the Empire's strict laws on luxury goods. Most any luxury good was brought to the capital of Justainia and little ever made it to Angelsk. Hestia saw an opportunity to begin bringing luxury imports to Fleur through Wilemberg via Ihjarga and Uruk. While the journey would prove significantly longer over sea, it would save much of the overland transport of goods from the Bay of Pearls to the Ashatar-Shamai branches within the mainland of Ihjarga. This meant that Fleur could begin producing luxury items that could be traded throughout the North, especially to Skjol, which had great demand for such products. To achieve this goal, Queen Hestia traveled to Uruk and then Batarm in a seven month journey throughout 26 AE, where she met the Grand Prince Gareeshakar Valamantra. It was during this trip that the Queen was gifted a baby Ihjargan mountain tiger by the Grand Prince, who was supposedly smitten by her beauty. When Hestia returned to Fleur in the early weeks of Korvos, she found that her mother Lady Grace Wilem had died of Palus flu just three weeks prior to her arrival.

Distraught at the death of her mother, Queen Hestia went into public mourning until the new year. Wearing only black, she continued to oversee the construction of the new harbor renovations in Wilemberg. Her diplomatic missions were successful and soon goods would be flowing into Fleur, first into Birch and later into Wilemberg upon the completion of most of the harbor in 25 AE. Ambassadors from the South moved to Wilemberg and many merchants from Sikkud, Ihjarga, and even Caldos established trade houses in the city. Hestia invited Ihjargans to move to the Fleurian countryside to revitalize failing fruit orchards. It was during this time that immigrants from Elugwu brought Eastern Trifold Tulips to the country, establishing flower farms that would come to be a pride of national identity. On the 8th of Kaltan, Queen Hestia would announce her first pregnancy to the public, though it would later be revealed that she had miscarried twins the previous year while on her travels. Her first daughter, Cycilia Wilem, would be born later that year on the 15th of Nordren 24 AE. She would be presented to the public on the East Balcony three months later to much delight. As part of the celebration, Hestia would gift four-hundred gold lilies to establish an orphanage in Wilemberg which would later be known as Our Beloved's Home for the Children of Fleur.

Due to her policies on luxury goods, Fleur experienced unparalleled wealth. However, the Arimanians were unhappy with her excesses and demanded that the Korevna put a stop to her insolence. Instead, Queen Hestia successfully negotiated a new trade arrangement in 23 AE that allowed Fleur to continue its current policies as long as 10% of all profits go to the Justainian Church. At the same negotiations, a deal was struck with the Korevnans to allow for their cereals to be imported into Fleur at a rate far lesser than their competitors in the River Lands as well as an agreement to discontinue the export of cheap cereals from Fleur into Korevna. In exchange, the Korevnans would send a certain amount of iron, lumber, and gold a year House Wilem in exchange for such tax breaks. The deal eventually led to better relations with Korevna who eventually began to purchase more of Fleur's luxury products.

During the final years of the 20s AE, Queen Hestia enacted a series of building projects in both Wilemberg and Birch that included the expansion and construction of marketplaces, public theaters and opera houses, as well as plazas with elaborate gardens. Her desire to turn Fleur into a destination for the elite of the world to vacation at would not be actualized for another decade, but her interest in the Fleurian Romanticism movement and the lifestyles of the young upper middle class of Fleur would lead to her funding the arts and cultural changes in the kingdom. Hestia is considered one of the greatest patrons of art and culture of the Ancient and Current Eras.

## Personal Life

### Relationship with Prince Nikolas Herminov

When Hestia was betrothed to Nikolas she was five and he was seven. The two would not meet for five more years, when both of their families would attend the wedding of Bear King Mikael and Bear Queen Elisa in 34 AE. While there, the future couple was introduced by their parents. Supposedly, upon seeing the young princess's sister, the little prince exclaimed, "am I to have two wives like a Kuddian savage?!" much to the shock of the company. However, the two soon got along quite well, causing much mischief until they parted ways. When Hestia was thirteen, she began sending regular correspondence to Nikolas, inquiring on his education and showing great interest in his affairs. Nikolas did the same and Hestia eventually visited him in the summer of 30 AE at Castle Hersgard where a then fifteen year old Nikolas was receiving knightly training. Hestia would later recount how beautiful the young prince was upon his destrier, his long blond hair flowing behind him. She would later recount at dinner parties how she had been tending to his sore hands after a harsh week of training. Nikolas had kissed her quickly on her cheek to which the Crown Princess in response, kissed him on the lips saying, "If I am to be the Queen of Flowers I shall deserve more respect than a peck on the cheek!". Nikolas collaborated this telling, saying he was smitten with her ever since.

By all accounts the couple was a perfect match. Their wedding in 27 AE was a grand success and the pair consummated the affair the same night. Some concerns were raised by the court as to why Hestia was not pregnant until three years after their marriage, though it was revealed her first pregnancy had occurred in 25 AE but was unannounced as it had ended in a miscarriage four months along. The Queen and Prince were distraught by the loss, abstaining from sex for some time after. However, the birth of their first daughter Cycilia in 24 AE would relieve some fears. Throughout the pregnancy, the nervous Prince Nikolas would attend his wife's every whim, much to the confusion of her staff. Much like Hestia's parents had been more involved in her upbringing, so two would Hestia and Nikolas be involved with their own children and each other. Hestia went as far as to nurse Cycilia herself. When the infant took ill in her eighth month, the royal family refused to leave the girl's side until she recovered. Nikolas prayed for her recovery daily and watched over her whenever Hestia attended to her royal duties. When she recovered, the couple praised Justain and donated three hundred golden lilies to the three major hospitals of Fleur in gratitude.

In 22 AE the couple would have their second child, Nikolas, named after his father for when Hestia saw him she remarked how he had his golden hair. The following year, in 21 AE, Hestia and Nikolas would adopt a young girl named Lorelai, the daughter of one of Hestia's maids who was orphaned after her mother's death. She had been chosen to be Cycilia's playmate, as the two were close in age. The girls were already best friends and Lorelai adjusted well to her new life as a member of the royal family. The same year the couple's second biological daughter Iseult would be born. In 20, the Queen would suffer another miscarriage, this time fairly early into her pregnancy. This left Hestia somewhat weak, as she had lost a considerable deal of blood. Nikolas nursed her back to health at their summer palace, Sea Star. Hestia left Helia in charge of Wilemberg while she was away, performing most of her duties capably from Sea Star until she deemed her health good enough to return to the capital.

Still desiring more children, the couple would have their third daughter in 19 AE, called Moira. After her birth, they abstained from having anymore children until Hestia accidentally became pregnant with a son called Josef who would be born in 16 AE. Another accidental pregnancy resulted in the birth of their final child, Frederick in 14 AE. Nikolas took great pride in his family, commissioning many portraits of them throughout the years which he displayed at Evermere. Often, it was said that his brothers in Korevna mocked him for being emasculated by his wife, though Nikolas would rebuke their disdain by claiming that "any man on Fayos would gladly throw himself upon the earth and kiss the feet of my Pearl for but a chance to catch her gaze." Hestia herself was several inches taller than Nikolas, which earned him the nickname "my petite prince" from her. She was often seen resting her cheek upon his temple.

In 17 AE, the Governor of Uruk gifted the Queen a Caldosi slave boy alongside a host of rare goods. Enamored with the child, Hestia emancipated him and adopted him into her household. She renamed him Roberte and had him educated alongside Iseult as the two were similar in age. Roberte and Iseult would go on to controversially marry after their mother's death in 6 CE, eloping to Caldos as to avoid the scorn of their peers. However, as a child, Roberte integrated well into the family, being much loved by Nikolas especially.

As Hestia and Nikolas grew older, they became even closer, spending hours together or with their children. Hestia especially enjoyed spoiling her husband with presents and treats, often being seen pressing slices of fruit and tiny tarts to his lips as they sat in their gardens. Despite changing with age, the two never seemed to lose their physical attraction to each other. Hestia claimed she adored her Little Prince well fed as much as she had when she first laid eyes upon him. For his part, Nikolas claimed that in 5 CE that Hestia had aged finer than he and that she was like a star from the highest of heavens. When Hestia died in 6 CE, Nikolas would follow her mere weeks later of a heart attack. They were buried together at the Royal Vaults at Evermere, besides the remains of their miscarried children.

### Relationship with her Children

#### Cycilia

Hestia was an excellent mother and exceedingly devoted to her children. Unlike previous queens, Hestia insisted on partaking in the raising of her children, including breastfeeding them, a quite unheard of choice at the time. Her first miscarriage devastated the young queen and her husband, so much so that they nearly swore off another attempt until being counseled by Nikolas' sister, Princess Eriana Herminov, who had experienced the loss of three of her own children in infancy. When Cycilia was born, much joy was felt between her parents, though they held off on naming her until she was a year old in attempt to avoid growing overly attached in the event of tragedy. During this time, Cycilia was known as *rezoauxs*, meaning "miracle".

As Cycilia grew up, she was under the constant watch and care of her mother, father, or governesses. Her mother ensured that she was educated in the finest way but also invited the children of commoners to play at the palace to keep her daughter humble. While, Hestia began by being very doting on Cycilia, she would eventually become very critical of the girl, holding high expectations of her as she grew up. Cycilia was somewhat rebellious, and the two clashed when she was a teenager. It was said that one such argument led to Hestia threatening to give the Crown to her younger sister, Iseult. Furious, the pair refused to speak to each other until Nikolas could intervene on their behalf.

In adulthood, the pair regained their bond, though Cycilia always felt as if she were never loved as much as her younger sisters. She'd spend much of her time as Queen of Flowers attempting to live up to her mother's legacy only to fail to maintain Fleur's prosperity.

#### Nikolas

Hestia loved young Nikolas dearly, naming him after his father at birth on account of his golden blond hair. Apparently, they had planned to name the boy Frederick, a name later given to their final son. Nikolas was haughty and show offish like his father had been in his youth. He tormented his eldest sister relentlessly, causing much annoyance to his governesses and parents. Prince Nikolas took great care in educating his son in the martial arts he had learned as a boy. Nikolas lived with his mother at Evermere until he was twelve, when he went to live with his paternal uncle, High King Samuil Herminov, in Isgerdia. He maintained correspondence with his mother for the rest of his life, visiting frequently with his wife Irena, before his untimely death in 4 CE during a boar hunt. The royal family was distraught, some saying Hestia wept for four days before she could be consoled.

#### Iseult

The couple's third surviving child, Iseult, was Hestia's favorite from birth. She was a small and somewhat sickly child, making her parents nervous for her survival. Because of this, Hestia and Nikolas prayed at her bedside night and day, with the Queen insisting the baby be brought in her bassinet to sleep at her side during court. Iseult recovered, though Hestia always considered her at risk of relapsing into sickness if she ever were to be strained. Because of this, she kept Iseult close to her, rarely bringing her outside the palace unless directly to one of their country estates. The girl proved herself to be intelligent but shy, leading to her having trouble making friends with anyone but her siblings. Iseult and Hestia were very close, often sleeping in the same bed whenever Nikolas was away on business. This close relationship continued into adulthood, with Iseult being the only of the children to never marry while Hestia was alive. She remained her mother's constant companion until her death, upon which she eloped with her adopted brother Roberte to Caldos to marry.

#### Moira, Josef, and Frederick

Moira was expected to be the couple's last child. She was close to both her father and mother. She married young and moved to Barland to become the wife of Bear King Aleksandr Mikaelovik, when she was eighteen. She was the last of Hestia's children to not use a wet nurse.

Josef and Frederick were both accidental pregnancies, though were treated with love all the same. Frederick especially was spoiled by his mother, being the baby of the family. He was shy and pudgy, often clinging to her skirts. Hestia would give him sweets to lift his spirits. Frederick lived with his mother until her death and apparently protested greatly to his betrothal to an Olivarden lady in 5 CE as arranged by Hestia. She reluctantly called off the young couple's wedding due to her failing health, but Frederick would finally follow through with her wishes in 10 CE.

#### Adopted Children

Hestia and Nikolas adopted two children, Lorelai and Roberte. Both were treated as members of the household, especially Lorelai, who was like a sister to Cyclia since they were introduced as infants. Often, Hestia could be seen with one girl on either side of her while they practiced at sewing. Lorelai would eventually marry a lesser member of House Boran, claiming the match never would have been possible without the support of her adopted parents. She was granted the title of Lady by her mother when she was seventeen.

Roberte was adopted after being gifted to the royal couple by the governor of Uruk. The former Caldosi slave boy had some trouble integrating into life at the palace but eventually became very attached to Nikolas and Iseult. The latter was near his same age and Hestia delighted in how the children were such dear friends. Hestia had Roberte educated as a painter and he remained the constant companion of Iseult throughout the remainder of Hestia's life. After he death, he eloped with Iseult to marry in Caldos and live their lives as lovers, causing great controversy among the nobility.

## Apperance

Hestia resembled both her parents, with dark hair, slightly tanned pale skin, and dark eyes. In her youth she was quite shapely, often called beautiful and fair, though indistinguishable from her twin sister. While Hestia would go on to have many children, Helia would not, and the two began to drift in appearance with many saying Helia looked more regal than the actual Queen as she gained weight over the years. Hestia herself did not care, claiming to enjoy finally being her own person and even being grateful that her younger sister would finally gain some attention. In her later years, her hair went grey. She enjoyed wearing white, eventually popularizing the sleeker modern styles of fashion that emerged in Fleur during the turn of the century.

In her old age, Hestia suffered from bouts of gout in her feet and left arm.