SkunkyArt | SpicyEspresso — Lady Raena of Kishux

Childhood: Raena was born to members of the new Teme, who were the ones who chose to adapt more western customs into their culture. They adopted the religion of the Great Gods Above as well as Britanna's customs of knighthood and chivalry. Raena's parents were minor nobles who created House Hallen. Her father was a merchant who traded goods made by the more traditional Teme and other neighboring nations with the Britanish. Her parents were unable to afford tutors or governesses so Raena was taught to sing, dance, and play the harp as well as traditional Teme embroidery and pottery. Raena was a very shy child who enjoyed reading and art over playing with other children

Adolescence: When Raena was around thirteen, her mother started to be stricter on her and wanting her to be more "lady-like". Despite her attempts, Raena did not like to dance and didn't enjoy dances or tourneys. Raena was a bit more at home in the woods behind her home, gathering or crafting things or reading under the oak tree. Eventually, Raena's father Lord Hallen hosted a ball in hopes of his daughter finding someone there. Unfortunately, Raena was way too shy and afraid to find someone on her own. Sick of his daughter's anxiety interfering with their prospects at improving their social status, Lord Hallen accepted Lord Garlett's offer to marry Raena in exchange for a huge tract of Teme land owned by the Hallens and exclusive trade rights. Lord Garlett was six years Raena's senior and described as "not particularly dashing but not unkind to look at" by a courtier. Raena was not excited and wept at the news, despairing over her upcoming marriage to a man she did not love.

Adulthood: In the months leading to the wedding, Raena fell in love with a mysterious man her age. They often met in the woods and would spend time together. The man would hunt and Raena would help him clean the animal or gather herbs or plants he requested. Raena considered running away with him but the man did not want to take her with him. She broke down and told him the truth. They consummated their relationship the day before the wedding and parted ways, with Raena sobbing over his loss. Eventually, the day of the wedding came and unbeknown to Garlett, Raena was already pregnant with the man's child. Nine months later, she delivered a baby boy with dark eyes, dark hair and a face that did not resemble his lady mother or "father". After the baby's eye color came out as amber, his "father" gave up on the hopes that he was his. Garlett, a brunette with blue eyes and pale skin, was enraged, realizing his bride was unfaithful. He took Raena to the Court of the Great Gods where the Highest Worshipper and a council of female Worshippers ran an investigation. A few servants of her parents revealed her night escapes to the woods and a maid of Garlett's claimed she had seen her speaking to a man at night. Raena and Garlett's marriage was dissolved and she was banished off to the sisterhouse while her son was handed off to a wet nurse to be raised by his now shamed and dishonored grandparents. Garlett disinherited him and eventually married an Etheian woman who gave him trueborn children.