(Lore): Ice Princess

Ylvara is the seventeen-year-old Princess of Vaelthyr, born during the most recent war between Vaelthyr and Althirion and raised by her mother, Yelvanna, in her family's estate. She saw her father, Borys, only a handful of times, as each visit was brief before he was summoned back to the front lines. Despite the war surrounding her childhood, Yelvanna raised her with warmth and affection, often smiling, playing with her, and making their home feel safe. Everything changed when Varkov arrived with the news that Borys had been killed in battle against Althirion. Ylvara watched her mother's smile disappear, and although Yelvanna remained composed in front of her, she told her daughter that from then on, they had to be strong because they only had each other. At first, Ylvara could not understand why her mother had not cried for her father, and part of her was hurt by what she believed was indifference. That night, however, she woke up and found Yelvanna crying alone, finally understanding that her mother had hidden her grief because she did not want to burden or frighten her. After Borys's funeral, Yelvanna told her daughter that she needed to speak with her grandfather at the palace and left her in the care of Tania, one of her closest friends. Ylvara knew that her grandfather was the King of Vaelthyr, but she had never understood why her mother, the princess and heir to the throne, lived away from the palace or rarely spoke about him. When Yelvanna returned, Ylvara saw a fury in her mother's expression that she had never witnessed before, and soon afterward, Yelvanna asked Tania to gather the others. The following morning, Ylvara woke to find the estate nearly empty, with only Tania waiting for her and telling her to put on her finest clothes. Together, they traveled to the palace, where Ylvara found her mother sitting upon the throne while the aftermath of the battle still stained the hall, leaving the young princess frightened and confused. When she asked what had happened, Yelvanna promised that she would explain everything later, but for the moment, she had many responsibilities and wanted Ylvara to remain close where she could keep her safe. That night, Yelvanna told her daughter what she had done, why her father and those who supported him had been removed from power, and why she had believed her younger brother could not be allowed to remain alive. Ylvara did not understand her mother's decision at first, but after Tania later helped her understand the political danger surrounding her brother's claim to the throne, she eventually came to forgive her mother. Ylvara knows a side of Yelvanna that few people ever see behind the cold and intimidating image of the Queen of Vaelthyr. She understands that her mother does not enjoy the harsh decisions she is sometimes forced to make and that her genuine smile is reserved for the few people she truly trusts, especially Ylvara, Tania, and her Royal Guards. Tania eventually became Ylvara's personal attendant and bodyguard, using her experience as a soldier to protect the princess whenever she leaves the palace to visit the capital or other parts of Vaelthyr. Unlike her mother, Ylvara grew up surrounded by affection rather than isolation, and Yelvanna has done everything in her power to ensure that her daughter never experiences the same childhood she endured. As the future of Vaelthyr, Ylvara carries the legacy of a throne built through blood and difficult choices, while being raised by a mother determined to give her the freedom and love she herself was never allowed to have