#project.crown

(Basically I'm gonna info dump)

Dysis was the third child in a family that needed three heirs. One to inherit the Stemma Throne (or father's title), another to inherit her father's title (or her mother's), and one that could inherit her mother's or non at all.

Both Melody and Adan (her parents) wanted at least two boys, three if they were lucky, so they could fill the titles. So their daughters would be safe, free to do as they pleased with their lives.

Their first child came. And it was a boy: Caellum.

Their second child followed 11 months after. It was a girl: Elora. They were both overjoyed, but nervousness crept in. It didn't matter, they told themselves, as long as they had one more boy. Then they could have a enough girls to fill the whole palace.

The third child: Dysis. Another girl, another wave of cheers and adoration. Delivered at sunset, the rays of light casting almost a halo around her head. Melody held her fragile body as the wave of complete and utter love filled her heart, the urge to protect her from the burden she could hardly bear at times only growing stronger.

The fourth child: Olan. A boy! There were two now! Should a suitable heir come from the King and Queen, there was hardly any danger!

The fifth: Aywin. The third boy!!! Melody cried when she saw seven year old Dysis holding her newest baby brother, the relief crushing her soul.

They were safe. Her daughters could be girls. Her daughters would be children.

The last child was Coral, another girl to bring utter delight with no trace of the previous fear. Adan had never noticed or remembered how he had held his breath after Elora and Dysis until he didn't feel it for Coral. It was perfect. Everything was falling into place.

So Dysis grew up surrounded by love and light. Surrounded by dancing and music. She'd proclaim that she wanted to be a singer, and Melody didn't have to worry about wether or not it was a real ambition she'd have to give up or just a childhood dream. She'd read romances, and her father never felt they were a waste of free time.

Although educated in politics and in everything a princess should, because of course there was the risk that she would marry into a noble family and become a Lady of her own accord, there wasn't too much pressure. She studied diplomacy and economics on one day, and then read and played the next. She learned how to throw daggers and parties, how to play strategy games as well as dolls and instruments.

And then her older sister disappeared, not coming back from her trip as she was supposed to.

Dysis was suddenly aware that Caellum needed her support, and she offered it. Although only twelve at the time, she started to learn that Caellum not only needed someone to support him behind the scenes, but also someone who could steal the spotlight when it became too much.

So she learned how to be charming, and oh how she succeeded.

She was waiting on her social debut. Everyone around her could tell it was be a successful one– after all, she was a Stemma princess. All the families would want that connection.

But before her debut could happen, there was a tragedy in the Kreat court. Her mother was called, the idea of a betrothal to help people's perception of the young king floating around. The prime candidate? None other than Dysis Crownstars.

Melody would barely hear of it at first, because this is what she had been trying to avoid! She hadn't wanted Dysis to inherit at 100 and something, much less be Queen at 16!!!

She had to ask first, though. She had to ask her daughter what she wanted to do. Because that had been the point: avoiding unchosen responsibility. This, however, could be chosen.

So she brought it up with Dysis, who saw no reason not to accept.

The betrothal lasted three months, as is customary. By then, Dysis had gotten to known Enver as a good, chatty boy who could easily become her best friend. And that was enough for her.

So they followed through with the marriage, and slowly, over the course of a year, both of them realized they had fallen in love with one another.

Two years after that, a beautiful baby girl was born. Dysis named her Elodie.

Unfortunately, Dysis never got to see her grow.

The funeral for Dysis Crownwood was called the most devastating affair of their age, with Adan being the one delivering the speech next to a broken Enver, holding a blissfully ignorant five month old.

And who was Enver after Dysis?

He was someone who had learned to love. To fully, truly love. Someone who worked through his grief for the sake of his people, who had to rule without the witty, charming Queen all of them adored. He was someone who dedicated himself to the education of his daughter, his only heir.

Enver is a wonderful lesson in perseverance. Although he would never be known as a cheerful king, entertaining the whole facet with parties and festivals, he was still known as just. As the King who remained a widower for the rest of his life, fully embracing his role as a father.

Enver was healed man. Though it seemed like an awful statement, it was generally said that Dysis's death had made him better. Had forced him to grow where his marriage didn't. Had given him a compassion for others that was only known by a man who knew grief.