For FE Contest challenge #11: "Woman King".
When her husband died, she allowed herself time to weep and mourn. The next day, she immediately set to work putting his affairs in order. There were so many things he'd hoped to accomplish during his rule, and she knew he wouldn't want his death to stand in the way of his plans.
She took his seat on the throne a month after his burial, and Silesia was shocked. A woman had never ruled these lands before, and many felt it impossible. Those who doubted her abilities did so behind her back, but she heard every whisper. Her brothers, feeling that they should have taken the throne after the king's death, complained loudly and tried to shatter her confidence.
"A woman has no place on the throne," they said. "You'd best let one of us take over until your son comes of age." It was partially to spite them that Rahna stayed on the throne; Maios and Daccar would be terrible rulers and if one of them took over they'd find some way to make sure Levin never replaced them. Her husband came from a long of firm, steady yet compassionate rulers who had ensured Silesia's peace for many generations; the last thing she wanted was for all their hard work to be undone.
But there were days when she felt overwhelmed by it all, nights where she missed her husband's embrace and gentle voice, and she would wonder if maybe her brothers were right. And still, she refused to give up, knowing her husband wouldn't want her to.
The years went by, Levin grew, the complaints of Maois and Daccar eventually quieted to low grumbles and Silesia thrived under Rahna's tireless efforts. Those who initially doubted her suddenly sang her praises, and she did not question their change of heart. Political opinion mattered little to her, only the well-being of her citizens and country.
It was no surprise that years later, Silesia remained calm while the rest of Jugdral was embroiled in chaos, and would become the safe haven for a man accused of treason by his own motherland. But even Silesia couldn't remain immune to the flames of war, and eventually Rahna found herself taking up arms to defend her people.
Queen Fury allowed herself to mourn her mother-in-laws demise, then immediately took her seat on the throne and set to work managing Rahna's affairs. Even when her husband disappeared, even as the empire's stranglehold tightened around Silesia, she refused to give up the hope that someday, Silesia would regain the peace it had known for centuries before the war.
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Notes:
Gotta love stories that end on a note of false hope, eh? Poor Fury, she'll meet a tragic end no matter who she marries but the outcome of her and Levin is just the worst. I can't help but wonder if the illness that took her was stress-related...it'd certainly make sense, anyway.
Canon never explains exactly what happened to Levin's father. It's commonly assumed that he died, but we don't know when or how. So I intentionally left that part vague.