Manarella Connebeth

Manarella Connebeth of Salin (8 July 1095-19 February 1128), was the first wife of Emperor Sawdu IV of Baland, who briefly became the Balish empress consort.

Early years
Born on 8 July 1095, Manarella Connebeth was born in Palace of Eilinsupwa, Andaw, Duchy of Salin. She was the eldest daughter of Chandra VII, Duke of Salin, and his wife, Savannamaya, the daughter of Aguillarma, Queen of Jasume, the daughter of Thusuaye I, Balish emperor, so Manarella was a great granddaughter of Thusuaye I, and her future husband, Sawdu IV, was her cousin. Manarella has three brothers and two sisters, including Chandra VIII and Oraj V, the future Dukes of Salin. Her sister, Madhri Connebeth, later became a nun, and her another sister, Sumanee Orajta, was Duchess of Loha by marriage.

Chandra VII and his wife raised their children separately. Manarella grew up with her younger brother Chandra VIII and received education together. They hardly met any other younger brothers and sisters before the age of 15, and they seldom met their parents, because Chandra VII was always very busy, and Savannamaya died after giving birth to her last child, Reramonsi. Because of this, Manarella and Chandra VIII were closest. Chandra VIII later helped Manarella in assisting her husband Sawdu to the throne.

Manarella was engaged to Prince Sawdu, son of Emperor Thusuaye II of Baland, when she was very young. This marriage was concluded with the help of Sawdu's uncle Kyantalin. Sawdu's mother, Empress Ausabether, told her husband to fulfill this engagement before she died, and left her pearl necklace to Manarella. However, Thusuaye II did not take his wife's entrustment into consideration. He did not have any communication with Salin, nor did he express his intention to take Manarella to the Nanwa court. Soon after, Thusuaye II married Madhri of Bolgne, which made Salin feel uneasy. Chandra VII worried that Thusuaye II did not intend to let Manarella become the Crown Princess of Baland, because Madhri was obviously more popular with the Emperor than Ausabether. At that time, people speculated that if Madhri gave birth to a son, then Sawdu would be replaced as the heir.