The Octarchy—a union of eight great kingdoms—was founded ten centuries ago with the hope of lasting peace. The rulers of those realms came together not through conquest, but through choice. They vowed to live as neighbors, bound by trust, helping one another in times of need—like one household lending bread and water to the next.
Among these kingdoms, Durand stood above all others. From the very beginning, it had been the heart of the Octarchy—the strongest, the richest, and the most vast. Its lands stretched across forests and mountains, deserts and snows, touching the seas and the borders of nearly every Kingdom. Yet, no one could have imagined that such a mighty kingdom would one day bleed itself dry through years of endless war, slowly losing the very strength that once defined it.
It began with the royal bloodline of House Nia Violet.
The High King of the Octarchy and King of Durand, Syon Nia Violet, ruled his people with wisdom and unmatched strength. His reign had brought prosperity and stability for decades. He was the father of seven children—each carrying the mark of his legacy, yet each bound for a different fate.
His eldest son, Calvin Nia Violet, was his pride and the original heir to the throne—a man of intellect, known for his sense of justice and humility. Yet, when the time came, Calvin laid down his claim, turning away from the crown for reasons he never revealed to the public.
The second child, Sharmin Nia Violet, was strong-willed and sharp-minded, her heart forged of both compassion and command. Against all tradition, King Syon chose her as his successor. Upon marriage to Advait Black Baratheon, Lord of House Baratheon, she took his name and became Sharmin Blake Baratheon, though her bloodline still tied her to Durand's throne.
The third child, Lara Nia Violet, was known for her serenity and grace, a woman of poise.
The fourth child, Symphony Nia Violet, was the songbird of the royal line—beloved by the people for her voice and beauty, though she kept herself distant from politics.
The fifth child, Oscar Nia Violet, was fierce and temperamental, more a warrior than a diplomat, destined to command armies rather than councils.
The sixth child, Claudia Nia Violet, was quiet yet cunning, her smile always warm, her words always precise. Few knew the depth of her ambition, hidden behind her charm.
And the seventh and the youngest child, Stanley Nia Violet, was the most unpredictable—a man whose loyalty shifted like the tide, often lost in pursuits far from the court.
When King Syon declared Sharmin as his heir, the Octarchy was shaken. No woman had ever ruled in its history, and the thought of kneeling before one was met with silence and resentment. Yet, the people's loyalty to their king outweighed their pride. They bent their knees and swore fealty to Sharmin Blake Baratheon, heir to Durand and the future High Queen of the Octarchy.
Two years later, King Syon Nia Violet died of an unknown illness. His death brought mourning across the eight kingdoms, and soon after, Sharmin ascended the throne—High Queen of the Octarchy, Queen of Durand, ruler of all lands bound by her father's pact.
In the years that followed, the royal court began to change. Claudia, now Claudia Blake Baratheon, had married Sharmin's husband, Advait Blake Baratheon, after the death of her own husband on their wedding night. She became the Queen Regent, standing beside the throne her sister ruled.
But before King Syon's passing, he had made one final decree—calling forth the High Council and the lords of Durand to bear witness. He named Calvin Nia Violet daughters, Princess Amala Nia Violet and Princess Amara Nia Violet, as the rightful princesses of Durand and next in the line of succession after Queen Sharmin's descendants.
That single declaration would one day set the course of history—and the fall of the once unshakable kingdom of Durand.