Donatienne Astucieux

Donatienne Marion Astucieux (née Bissett) was the wife of Absolon Astucieux and mother of Milun Astucieux and Solange Astucieux. Her birthday was June 2nd. She was 35 at the time of her death.

## Personality

Donatienne was a cheerful and charming woman, who instantly captured the attention of Absolon when the two first met. She was generous, caring, and brave. Her family was the most important thing in her life.

## Backstory

Donatienne was born to parents Marilène Bissett (née Deschamps) and Maximin Bissette. She was the youngest of several siblings: Isabeau, Auguste, Hortense, and Jeannot. Her family was primarily made up of field laborers and artisans. The Bissett family was not well off compared to the rest of their village.

Donatienne found a friend in Maylis Trémaux, the daughter of the well off Trémaux family from their village. Through her association with the Trémaux, as well as by pressure put on her by her parents, Donatienne was allowed to participate in activities and events mostly reserved for the wealthy, such as debutante balls and galas. Donatienne was pressured by her parents to marry rich so that her husband could support them. Patriarch Denis and his wife Azélie Trémaux viewed Donatienne as a foster daughter, and showered her with lavish gifts and clothes. They offered to adopt her, but Donatienne didn't want to leave her siblings behind. Despite her parents' disapproval for Donatienne's family, Maylis always viewed her as an equal.

One summer's day, when Donatienne was 19, she and Maylis don their best lace sundresses to promenade. While there, the pair encountered the handsome but flustered Absolon Astucieux, aged 21, who seemed smitten with Donatienne. As the two talk, Maylis struggled to hide her laughter. Once the two decide to see each other again, and once Absolon leaves, Donatienne admonished Maylis for nearly interrupting their conversation and destroying their chances. Maylis confessed that she was only laughing because Donatienne did not seem to recognize Absolon, who Maylis knew immediately as one of the most successful and prominent up-and-coming businessmen in Fontaine. Once their courtship begins, Donatienne's family is thrilled that she has managed to catch the attention of a wealthy suitor. The two began a very successful courtship, despite Absolon's shyness and hesitancy. Absolon begins to call her "mon cygne," or "my swan."

For Donatienne's 20th birthday, Absolon attempted to surprise her with a romantic picnic in the Fontaine countryside. They are interrupted by a group of rogue bandits. Absolon tried to fight them off with his bow, but one of them grievously injured his lower left leg, rendering him immobile. Donatienne managed to chase the bandits off, carry Absolon to safety at his manoir home, and summons a doctor before fainting in the doorway. Absolon nearly broke off the relationship due to fear that Donatienne would feel burdened by him, but she reaffirmed her love for him and promised to support him as he recovered.

Once Donatienne's parents learned that Absolon has been injured and that his injury is permanent, they demanded that she break off their relationship. Angrily, Donatienne refused to do so out of love for Absolon and promised that when the two of them were married, her parents would never see or hear from her again, nor would they receive any money from her. She moves in with the Trémaux family for the time being. She gifts Absolon a special custom-made cane with a brass handle in the shape of a swan, to reflect his pet name for her.

Two years later, when she is 22 years old, Donatienne and Absolon married in a small, intimate ceremony. Her parents refused to attend. However, all of her siblings and their families were present, and she promised to support them financially. Donatienne moved into Absolon's manoir.

Two years later, at age 24, the couple's first son, Milun, was born. Although they were both thrilled to be parents, Milun proved to be a difficult child, constantly throwing tantrums, being disobedient, and acting cruel. Donatienne and Absolon tried to respond with love, but this only angered Milun more. The try to give him space instead, and their relationship marginally improves.

Two years later, at 26, Donatienne was thrilled to discover that she was pregnant with her and Absolon's second child. However, not long into the pregnancy, she suffered a miscarriage which weakened and damaged her body. She was advised to not have any more children.

When she was 28 years old, she discovered she was pregnant once more. Although Absolon promised to support her if she did not wish to carry the pregnancy, she was determined to carry to term. The next year, when she was 29, she gave birth to a daughter named Solange. Due to Donatienne's weakness following her previous miscarriage, Solange was born weak and prone to sickness. Despite this, Solange was a happy and playful child that brought great joy to the family. After her birth, Milun became notably kinder, more obedient, and calmer.

Four years later, when Donatienne was 34, Solange caught a fever which she did not recover from, and died one night in her sleep. Milun reverted to his old ways and blamed Donatienne for Solange's death. The emotional trauma of her child's death as well as lingering affects from her miscarriage worsened Donatienne's health.

At age 35, Donatienne died. Her death was most likely due to a form of cancer called choriocarcinoma, which developed during her second pregnancy. The placenta developed into cancerous cells, causing her miscarriage. This cancer may have also resulted in Solange's congenital weakness. Although she passed the cysts during her miscarriage, the cancer had already spread, and was exacerbated by her following pregnancy and Solange's birth. The stress and emotional trauma from Solange's death likely amplified the disease, killing her less than a year after her daughter's death.