NOTHING EVER DAUNTED HER

It was said that she was born with a cold gaze already snatched into her dark eyes, her delicate doe-eyed features unable to disguise the superiority, which the young babe felt. Undeniably beautiful, Serena was paraded around the White Harbour for all to enjoy, her mother and father rejoicing in having such a beautiful bargaining chip, for she was nothing more than a prize, a precious gem to be eventually gifted to another. She had been a surprise for all the household, since her siblings were all far older than she was, but it did not limit their closeness. Obedient to a point, Serena heeded the many lessons instructed by both her mother and septa, growing with grace and beauty. There was something about Bethany Manderly nee Durrandon, a kind of rotten honey that appeared both sweet and spoiled. It became a part of Serena too, lilting her words with a softness to cut through the bitter edges. But behind her fair appearance, was a mind of intelligence which tore apart others internally. She had a knack for seeing through the falsehoods, making men look like fools.

Despite Cregan intending to instruct his sons only, Serena always took interest and she had a way of manipulating her father, just like every other man. Whilst her father was old in his beliefs that it was a man’s duty to rule, and a woman’s to obey, he could never deny his daughter anything. She was tool to be shaped, a vessel of knowledge to bolster the pride of the Manderly family. A simpering, weak minded woman she was not, discontent to simply bear a brood and that be her life’s achievement. Ambition streaked through her, an unquenchable thirst to shine brighter than everyone else. Whilst her smile carried lightness around White Harbour, a darkness grew in her eyes, a malevolent spark which threatened to become the roaring fire. She was a girl consumed by the allure of power, the need to make something more of herself. She pitied others, the ones who bowed their head in obedience, foolish and unremarkable women.

Just a few months after her tenth nameday, her only sister Jeyne married into a strong Northern family. Growing up, Serena had always been guided by Jeyne, who had her own kind of poison, but could certainly pull the sweetness out of little sister. Without the presence and love of her sister, she grew more rotten and vainglorious, relishing the attention after being the only Manderly lady left unwed. Image was everything to Serena, her silken appearance disguising the steel beneath. Every smile was lacquered on, when seeing small children play, internally grimacing when they splashed mud onto the skirts of her gown, laughing it off as harmless child’s play. The common-folk needed to love her, the nobles needed to love her, and she was capable of making it so.

When her Jeyne passed, it was the first and only time which Serena had ever lost her poise and dignity, a great roar of pain released from her chest, knees crumbling to the stone floor in the grand hall. She wanted to tear the place apart, devastation stripping away the ounce of light in her soul. She was the one to make her kinder, and with Jeyne gone she was a hard shell, love reserved only for two brothers and no other. Although no accusations were made, no one believed the story which her sister’s husband had spun about his wife’s illness – Serena had received too many letters detailing the woman’s hatred for her husband and admiration for her lovers.

Focus turned to her family’s legacy, to ensuring that House Manderly thrived. From a young age, Serena knew that she would not settle for anything less than absolutely power. 

WANTED CONNECTIONS:

The husband of her sister - I’ll put in a WC for that.  In the past six years Serena’s dislike of him has turned to hatred. She may never be able to prove that her sister was killed, but her gut feeling tells her that something happened that wasn’t an accident. In the presence of him, her words are sharp and her hatred prevalent.

Lover - Having known him for some years, Serena has always felt an attraction towards the  lord. Desire runs deep within her very soul and she’s often been tempted by him. If a simple thing such as love were possible for her, she may have longed to follow her heart and commit herself to being his lady, but he cannot give her the power that she desires. Still, it’s never stopped her from carelessly flirting with him or visisting his bedchambers.