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witchofhimring · 3 months ago

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The True Empress

Part one of "The Six Wives of Sovieshu"

Wife 1#: Navier Ellie Trovi

Note: This one will be the one most similar to canon as her story does not need to be changed for the purposes of this au.

"The girl shall live her life, his majesty shall live his, and I shall live mine." Those were the words Empress Navier Ellie Trovi said to herself when her husband took a mistress. At the time she considered it a fleeting fancy on his part. So she buried her hurt and carried on, secure in her position. No one could have foreseen that in just a few months Navier would lose her throne to the mistress, Rashta.

The Trovi family boosted a long history of Empresses. From the moment of her birth Navier was the latest in this imperial lineup. She would walk through the halls and gaze at the past Empresses, many of whom she shared features with. There was pride mingled with the looming pressure that weighed down on her every day. All their hopes were placed on Navier to perform nothing less than perfectly. For if she did not, how would they see her? Another future Empress might walk these hall, see her portrait, and think "now that is an Empress I should not emulate". The fear would keep her up at night. It was her secret terror, locked away under a façade of calmness.

It was crucial to remain calm. For to be Empress one must obtain full control of their emotions. Every step and breath would be fully monitored. She was both the envy of every woman and the most pitiful creature. “The Ice Empress” was a charming little epithet dubbed on Navier. For all they saw was the collected veneer on top, not the pain boiling beneath the surface.

It was not an easy journey. Years of self control, abstaining from pleasure others indulged in freely and hard work that drove her to tears was what it took. Every waking moment the looming prospect of her duty loomed over her. Sometimes, when she was quite alone, Navier would look down onto the platform below. Girls with more life in them flitted about with each day bringing a new adventure. Compared to stalwart Navier these girls seemed far more interesting. She remembered the exciting excursions the others enjoyed and how her friends told their stories. People would crowd around them and eagerly listen.

“I’m boring.” Thought Navier.

She was beautiful, but sometimes Navier felt that was all she was. Just a pretty face to wear the crown who only thought of work. Yet it was who she was, to be dutiful.

This is not to say things had always been thus. While as a child Navier had been kept busy she still remained a kid. Those early days saw Navier running around with the boy who would be her husband, Sovieshu. He had been her friend and companion. While Navier was not sure she loved him, her heart beat for him. She imagined a future where they ruled together. A future were as Emperor and Empress they ruled over this vast empire.

And that they did, but at a great cost.

All that mattered was the crown. Navier no longer had time to play and indulge in childish desires. Sovieshu did not seem to understand her. Not that he was a lax emperor, but Navier was spurred on by a lifetime of duty beat into her. Every moment of the day revolved around the Eastern Empire. From waking to sleeping Navier had not a moments piece. it gave her a sense of calm when she knew those who came before would be proud. Empresses of the past would be well represented in her. Walking down the hallway Navier would look at the portraits and gaze where her portrait was. One day another empress would look at her portrait and think of Navier's legacy. She only hoped the impression would be a positive one.

In the midst of her duty Navier and Sovieshu saw less and less of each other. At first Navier did not notice. But one day while drinking tea with her ladies, she realized it had been a while since herself and Sovieshu had spent time together. Laying in bed that night Navier mulled over the issue. It bothered her, sending knots tying themselves into a frenzy over the issue. Navier had many virtues. But she found it hard to breach the issue. So Navier kept her silence. And the years went on and the distance grew and grew.

Time passed before they knew it. Not only did they grow older, but they changed in other ways. No longer were Navier and Sovieshu the same children. In fact they were children no longer. They were not even Navier Ellie Trovie and Prince Sovieshu. These days it was Empress Navier and Emperor Sovieshu. Titles were not the only things that had changed. As their duties piles on and the weight of their illustrious positions became unbearable, life changed. And they changed along with it.

Navier and Sovieshu sat apart from eachother on opposite ends of the table. The table was quite long, separating them by more than just a few feet. Navier picked at the last piece of carrot. Forlornly it lay there looking thoroughly unappetizing. On the other side Sovieshu's gaze was on his hand. The Emperors blue ring sat there glittering. Dinners had at some point become akward. One could not say when it happened. Just that one day Navier realized it was there. She wanted to say something, a great many things. Words never came to her, she had never been good at articulating emotions. So they continued to sit there in silence. Neither of them ever articulated their internalized agony. An agony they did not even realize.

"Your majesty." Countess Eliza was a pillar of stability for the empress. With the doors closing it was just the two of them. "Come, a fragrant cup of tea should sooth you." The Countess Eliza took a pale hand that Navier prayed did not shake. A coldness had infiltrated her body. For once she felt like that reprehensible title, The Ice Empress. When she tried to stand her legs failed. "A mere slave had brought me to this." Navier thought. "His majesty must mere be fascinated that a beautiful woman was caught in his trap. I'm sure this is only fleeting." Countess Eliza may very well be right. Most mistresses stayed for a time before being dismissed. Logically, thought Navier, she should not feel sad. Her position was safe. However, there is more to life. Try as Navier might to create the perfect empress feelings that had nothing to do with position overwhelmed her. Sovieshu had been her life partner yet so easily desired another.

"Countess... my mother told me... that I mustn't be hurt even if his majesty brings another woman to be his mistress. Because it was such a common occurrence, she advised me not to expect anything different from his majesty." Her façade had fallen. A hand fidgeted, tearing at the fine pink silk of her robe. "Even if his majesty has mistresses, they are merely mistresses. I am the empress. And it's not as if his majesty and I are a pair of star-crossed lovers." It was a poor attempt to cover up the pain. A pain that chilled her to the bone. Countess Eliza's blue eyes sadly regarded her lady, her friend. The look sent a shard of pain into her heart. "But....why is it that I feel so hollow inside?" Her voice was smaller. It carried not her usual imperial tone. She was just a heart broken woman at that moment. "In theory I should be fine...." Countess Eliza hugged Navier. An action that at any other time would have been impertinent. But even a woman such as Navier, one who strived for perfection, needed love.

"The girl shall live her life, his majesty shall live his, and I shall live mine." Was what Navier constantly told herself. She was Navier Trovi, of the House Trovi, a line that produced many empresses. And none would steal what was hers. Yet ignoring Rashta was a mistake.

"I'm Rashta!" The woman who would overthrow Navier was unassuming to the eye. Pretty and seemingly innocent, even Navier had to admit that Rashta had a talent for inspiring sympathy. Those wide grey eyes so easily shed with tears. Tears that set Sovieshu against her.

The months dragged on. In the mean time Sovieshu enjoyed Rashta's attentions, and Navier worked herself to the bone. Throwing herself into work Navier continued her persona. The perfect empress. "But I am not perfect. I am boring. It is Rashta they all adored." Tears of frustration nearly arose. Oh how pathetic she felt, upset over a mistress. Naviers ladies had tried to comfort her. For a time she had comforted herself with the notion that at least Rashta would always be held back by her status.

That did not stop Sovieshu from taking Rashta as an official mistress. Laura raged and Countess Eliza lamented. Navier still retained control. Even with the pain and rage licking at her insides. Worst yet, Navier was excepted to participate in what she felt an absolute farce. Working hard was one thing, having to come to a celebration in honour of the woman who stole her husband was quite another. She wanted to scream. Restraint had become an ever tightening noose. Not even cups of fragrant tea banished her grief. Was she to shoulder all the responsibility of the position without the pleasure? Sovieshu had stopped visiting her chamber. Navier, the most powerful woman in the Easter Empire, lay awake knowing her husband lay with another.

Time past in an agonizing crawl. Sovieshu showed her distain, the court laughed behind her back and Rashta was around every corner. Why could the girl not understand that she wanted to be left alone! Unfortunately there was little she could do. Sovieshu let Rashta run amuck with no thought to propriety. And when Navier had dared to bring it up Sovieshu should treat her with coldness. She felt completely helpless.

"A bird?" The light gold feather were illuminated by sunlight. Amethyst purple eyes blinked slowly. When Navier had teached out to touch it, the bird rose. The birds talons gently closed on her finger. Surprisingly light, the bird stood here on her finger. It little head nudged against her and Navier felt warmth bloom in her chest. Noticing a note Navier untied it. Nobles would sometimes sent notes by bird to one another. Who sent this one? "I am a guest from abroad who will soon arrive at the new years ceremony. and I write this not while drunk." For the first time in months Navier giggled.

The first time Navier laid eyes on Prince Heinry she noticed his light golden hair. Illuminated by the sun, Navier was nearly entranced by it. A man with rumors of cruelty and beauty, Navier could attest to the later. For a moment Navier was taken aback by this prince. This was nothing compared to the shock when he knelt down. Extending one hand Heinry extended a hand. His smile brought the most faint of blushes. When he kissed her hand Navier felt the burn. But it was his words that lingered the most. "It is an honour to meet you, My Queen."

The bird that visited Navier was her sole consolation. It was easier to whisper her fears to the bird than courtiers. A bird could not judge her or tell her worries to the world. However her pen pall frequently sent letters and she eagerly replied. It was the only true escape she could enjoy. Navier did not want to worry her parents, and God forbid Kosair find out. Any day now she expected her elder brother to storm in. Most would be happy to have such a brother. But Navier feared what his anger would bring. So consoled herself with this small happiness. The bird seemed to be the only thing that cared for her. Of course her ladies in waiting were a comfort, but there were even some things she could not tell them.

"I think I am very boring." The words trembled as they left her mouth. Tears rolled down her pale face. This was a fear she had not willingly told anyone. Navier might be a Trovi, but what was she outside of that? The golden bird cooed and nestled in her arms. Sad amethyst eyes looked up at the empress. Her thin finger stroked its feathered head. With an aching heart Navier looked at herself in the mirror. Vanity had never been a strong inclination of hers, although this is not to say she was free of it either. Perhaps that was all she was. A pretty face. She had seen the paintings of past Trovi empresses. Almost all of them had blonde hair, many with green eyes. There was nothing that made her stand out compared to them. On the other hand Rashta was unique amongst mistresses. Looking like an angel that fell from heaven itself, she did not seem to posses the hairs nobility put up. Navier, Empress, a Trovi, felt miniscule in comparison.

In the end Navier felt a sort of numbness. Months of pain and sadness had eroded away any true raw emotion. The pain would come later. The past month all Navier could focus on was leaving the Eastern Kingdom and marrying Heinrey. For the final time she donned her red empress dress. Today she looked every inch the empress she was. 'From now on it will be Queen Navier.' Everything felt so strange. And yet, it felt perfectly in her nature. Duke Kaufman had told her that she might break without the title of "Empress". He was right, even Navier had to admit. She had been born to be empress. Now all that would be gone. 'Who will I be in the west?' That was a question Navier could to say for certain.

She walked down the hall of empresses. Centuries of women who lived and died in this court. Navier had always thought of herself as one in a line. Now she was breaking away. Future empresses would not look to her, merely and embarrassing stain on the family. it would hurt later. Soon the grief would come and Navier would feel like she was falling into darkness. Still, she clung to her childhood attachment. She must remain powerful. She was a Trovi and must behave like one. As the double doors open Navier stepped through. From this day on her fate changed.

The Western Kingdom did not have a gallery of empresses. In fact they had never had an empress before. Now, this did not mean there was nothing commemorating past queens. In a private room where the queen could hold a private audience were small portraits lining the wall. Walking around Navier found the last two. Dowager Queen Krista, and Heinrey's mother. 'King Heinrey will have another gallery built.' Navier was only slightly surprised at this. Of course her husband would want to glory of his newly founded empire to be promoted. What Navier did not expect was for it to be in the throne room. 'So I can always see my wive's beautiful face.' Heinrey said. Such affection made Navier burn up with a feeling she did not fully understand.

Being married to Heinrey was not what she expected. Marrying him had been a means to an end for Navier. Although she liked him Navier thought there was nothing beyond that. Long ago she had spurned romance books. A girl, and now woman, had no need to such fantasies. It was hard to read about lovers when that was not her fate. Love was not in sight for her. Perhaps that was partly why Sovieshu's affair had stung so hard. To have him enjoy the love denied her was torture. Always Navier had settled for the hard reality of seeing others fall in love, just never herself.

Strangely, the marriage was not what she thought it would be. Heinrey, with the reputation of a rouge, had surprised her. He was kind to her in ways no one had before. Small touches he need not have done made something flutter in her belly. Like eating something sweet and feeling its enjoyable after effects. She tried to ignore it and go on with her life. There was lots to do and being an empress gave one no time to rest.

If I allowed myself to be drawn in.....

Just a little closer to the love that he's offering me....

I know I'll find myself helplessly attached to him....

And in that dream she was falling down a great pit into the darkness. Light faded away and down she plummeted. Everything seemed to slip away. Images of Heinrey with other women, leaving her danced about in a mocking parade. She knew what would await her in the end, just as it had with Sovieshu.

She woke up the next morning in tears. Unusually Heinley was not there. He left behind a note that Navier could not bring herself to read. "Are you ready to let me in?" he had asked. Despite everything she had no answer. 'What a wretched unnatural woman I am.' Navier looked down at the tears staining her gown.

Her dream was filled with darkness and falling down...down ...down. She would wake up consumed by the greatest fear. Every time this happened it took her a few seconds to realize she was in bed. Rolling over she would see Heinley sleeping peacefully, likely dreaming sweet dreams. At those times Navier would get up and find somewhere to cry in peace. Sometimes she could not get up at all. Placing a hand over her mouth Navier would dry. She wanted to tell Heinley, but she was scared. This was not a part of her to show, even to a husband. Not even Sovieshu knew these dark part of her heart, her soul.

'Navier.' She had been sitting in a chair. The curve of her expanding belly had a book propped up on it. There were advantages to being pregnant. Heinley had returned from another boring meeting. Kneeling before her, Heinley kissed her belly before getting up. 'How is my wife?' Navier's hand caressed the bump. 'Well. Just very tired.' What Navier left out was the reason for her exhausting. While carrying a baby was no small task, it was her dreams that distressed her so. Concerned, Heinley sat in front of her. 'My love.' 'Hm?' Heinley took her by the hands. 'What worries you?' Suddenly Navier felt a chill descend upon her. She wanted to run away and hide where someone could not find her.

'Simply tired.' Navier knew that was a poor lie. 'Please?' She hated it when Heinley took that tone. Because if he took that tone her walls would fall down, and he would see her for what she was. Her eyes were filling with tears till they poured down pale cold cheeks. And soon, Heinley was holding her as she wept and shook uncontrollably.

'Oh my love. My wife.'

She finally told him.

Four years later....

She watched her Heinley play with the children. Sitting under a tree Navier sewed a gown for their newest child. Beside her sleeping was their second child, a daughter. In the sunlight her new family played, for a time leaving behind the cares of this world. Setting down her work Navier picked her daughter up. Wordlessly cradling the baby Navier sighed contentedly. There was a small smile on her face, gentle. She was lucky, so very lucky.

Briefly she thought upon her former husband. A week past there was news from the east. Sovieshu had sent Rashta away. Four years ago Navier would have danced for joy. Those that had used her carelessly were paying their dues. But now she did not care. Not even pity. That was a part of her life separate from this one. Cruelty did not reside in her heart. Just that she had moved on.

In the near distance Heinley turned around. Those beautiful purple eyes met hers. She could see the love. It had taken time, but Navier knew his heart to be true.

She was not afraid any longer.

Notes: This story is the shortest due to her fate being the same as her canon counterpart. That being said I had fun analyzing Navier's character. The title "The True Empress" was inspired by Alison Weir's book for Catherine of Aragon called "The True Queen". I also felt that it is fitting since Navier embodies what it means to be an Empress. But in a way it becomes a hinderance. Navier becomes so wrapped up in her identity as Empress that she ices out Sovieshu (albeit unintentionally) and closes herself off from those who want to help. Both Navier and Sovieshu seem to have problems communicating their feelings. They ice out the other, Navier ignores the situation and Sovieshu boils in resent. They both posses this fatal flaw which destroys their relationship. Sadly Rashta's arrival was the last nail in the coffin. The next chapter, which is about Rashta, will look into Sovieshu a little more. When it comes to him I think he knows what he wants but never is willing to put in the work for it. When they were children it was easy to be Navier's friend. But he was unable to maintain that relationship, partly due to a lack of communication, and having a "have you cake and eat it too" mentality.

The aesthetic at the beginning points out Navier's turmoil and forgiveness (or at least moving on). Several times in the graphic novel Navier's anxieties about not being enough are point out and even after the divorce it is still a sore spot. The olive branch does not signify Navier forgiving Sovieshu or Rashtsa. It represents Navier making her peace with the past and choosing to move forward, which she does at the end of the one-shot.

My next story is going to be Rashta's so if you like this one look out for the next!

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