Empress

by xLilim

Kouen Ren marries Asta of Ione to further the Kou Empire's plan to unify the world under a single king. He holds no interest in his new bride apart from her country's resources, but Asta, though young and naïve, is determined to make their union work for the sake of her long-suffering citizens. The first half of the story ( Ch 01 - ? ) is pre-canon; KouenOC

7. (03) Cinder Crown - Pt 1

THREE: Cinder Crown

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House Tjäder

The noble lineage of House Tjäder is descendant of Io, the Warrior Queen.

Members of House Tjäder are raised strictly and are trained to serve in the military from the instant they are old enough to enlist. Tjäder nobility grew up believing that the one true way of dying was doing so in the battlefield, an ode to their Warrior Queen, who they revered as a saint.

The head of House Tjäder is in charge of the military province in Ione and oversees several bases around the country that police its denizens. While the Castle Guard, or the King's Army, is a special branch of the military, it is considered a separate entity from the Tjäder Province because they answer only to the leader of the country. Members of the Castle Guard are military trainees handpicked for their promise and are taken to the castle's barracks where they compete their training.

Freja Tjäder is the current head. She inherited the title from Hákon after he married Queen Ingrid. As head of the House, Freja is the Head Commander in the Ionian Army. She serves predominantly within the country, keeping it safe.

The queen and king are the only authority that can command the Ionian Army apart from Freja.

The Tjäder Province is located in the center of Ione. It wraps around the capital, Astoria.

House Åkerman

House Åkerman is one of the oldest noble families in Ione. The first bearer of the Åkerman name impressed Io so much in his contribution to the conquest that made Ione hers that she offered him the territory of his choice.

House Åkerman controls all of the farmland in Ione and regulates the amount of crops that are grown on a seasonal basis, as well as how much is distributed throughout the kingdom, the amount that is preserved for the winder season, and the bundles that go to House Öman for trade.

Kay Åkerman is the current head of the Åkerman House.

The Åkerman Province is located northwest from Astoria.

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xl: We are doing Houses now. I will probably do two at a time until I run out.

Now, I want to take the time to thank: Trickster707, Loteva, Mitsuyuki-hime, and EdenMae for reviewing the previous chapter(s). Also, wow, thank you to everyone that has either favorited/followed this story (or both). It's surprising to have so many new readers. I hope not to disappoint you!