Ophia of Aguilette

Ophia of Aguilette (8 November 927-14 May 979), was queen consort of Sayamati as the third spouse of King Lebinande II, as well as mother of Oraj III. She was the daughter of Henther IV, Duke of Aguilette, and Manarella of Salin. Connebetha of Salin, the second wife of Lebinande II, was her cousin.

Queen
Lebinande was already 52 when he lost his second wife Connebetha in 943, who sadly thought that he'd never had an heir. He was suggested by his head advisor Belfante La Safa to annul his eldest daughter Kalantha's marriage, then marry her to her uncle, the king's brother, Joan Sacario, Marquess of Borïaun, so that they can be crowned together, avoiding disputes. The king almost agreed it, but he finally changed his mind, because he was told by a priest that he was destined to have a son to succeed the throne.

Lebinande II planned to marry a princess from Janviera at first, but soon he received a letter from Henther IV, Duke of Aguilette, who knew the king was looking for a wife. The duke recommended his cousin, Madhri of Forle, to the king, and hoped her two daughters of age, Kalanthe and Ophia, can showed on the wedding so that they can be officially introduced to the royal court. Lebinande accepted his offer, and invited him to the court.

In September 943, Henther, Madhri, Kalanthe and Ophia had arrived in Fwabosi. Lebinande was eager to see his bride, so he dressed as an attendant to visit Henther and other 3 ladies. He found Madhri was arrogant, thin and small, while Ophia was genial, tall and large. Lebinande thought Ophia was more suitable to be the queen as he didn't want a bad-tempered queen and it seemed that Ophia had more possibilities to give birth to healthy children.

Lebinande II sent engagement gifts to Ophia. Henther asked for several times whether there're some mistakes. Finally he knew the king decided to marry Ophia. Feeling shamed, Madhri left without telling anyone, who will be a nun in a Holy Suma Temple in Farisavey. Ophia felt sorry to her, making her once wanted to refuse the king's proposal, but she agreed to be Lebinande II's wife at her father and sister's persuasion.

The wedding of Lebinande II and Ophia was held at the Apina Palace on 22 January 944. With character of warm, Ophia satisfied the king, however, she suffered hostility from the king's brother, Marquess of Borïaun, who had the greatest possibility to succeed the throne, but he worried Ophia may give birth to a son now.

The king still missed his first wife Kalantha Mihadela deeply, but Ophia didn't care about this, whose modesty won her a good fame. Marquess of Borïaun had spread the rumor that the queen was jealous, but no one believed it.

Ophia didn’t live up to the court's expectation. A year after the wedding, the expected prince was born, Henther Lebinande, Prince of Basha, who was named after the queen's father, showing the king's respect to her. Ophia's coronation was held on 30 June. Unfortunately, the prince lived only for a year. In 946, Princess Madharia was born, who died soon. Eventually in 949, another son Oraj Muhatanio was born, future Oraj III. In pregnancy upon the king's death, Ophia refused to attend the king's funeral when she heard of her husband's death, because she thought that it's inauspicious for a pregnant woman to attend a funeral, but she miscarried her baby after 3 months.

Queen dowager
Ophia served as the regent for her 4-year-old son Oraj III. Feeling threats from her ambitious brother-in-law, Marquess of Borïaun, she tried to seek for help, in which period Kanaunto de Sanshar, Count of Caubhar, became her main supporter. The queen and marquess eventually chose to reconcile, as no one wanted to worsen the situation. The marquess seized the chance to gain great power, but the custody of Oraj III was still held by the queen mother, both of whom kept in balance, without anyone preponderant.

From the fall of 955, the rumor spreading in Fwabosi that the queen dowager had fallen in love with a young nobleman Alan Charsi, which alerted some people, the marquess began to investigate this issue and found that the queen had secretly married Alan Charsi early in the beginning of this year. The marquess immediately took the matter to the Supreme Court, claiming the queen mother's remarriage had never been consented by the royals, so the marriage was illegal, and the queen's regency and guardianship over the king should be deprived of, because the secret marriage showed her irresponsibility. The Supreme Court supported the marquess. Ophia had no longer been the regent, and lost her guardianship over her son. She was banished from Sayamati together with Alan Charsi. The marquess took the supreme power of Sayamati.

Ophia and Alan Charsi were received at the court of Hsindra, where they were guests of Queen Anna I and King Minyaung V. Knowing the marquess's ambition clearly, Ophia worried her son that the marquess may depose even assassinate him. She had wrote to the marquess for several times to reconcile, but all of her efforts were neglected. Ophia also tried to return to Sayamati for many times, but suffered failures. She had visited her husband's eldest daughter Kalantha, from whom she gained support. Ophia and Alan Charsi produced 4 children in exile.

With mediocre ability, the rule of the marquess was unpopular, and provoked discontent from Oraj III. On 1 August 965, urged by people like Count of Caubhar, the king ordered to expel his uncle and confiscate more than half of his fortune. The marquess began his rebellion at Buriendo right away. Young Oraj III never showing fear faced with his experienced uncle, he led his army and joined the battle himself, and finally eliminated his uncle by his own in March 966.

Ophia and Alan Charsi returned from the exile, whose marriage was declared legitimate, with six manors from the king as gifts. When Oraj III found that part of weapons taken from his uncle's army was donated by his father-in-law Reramonsi VI, Duke of Loha, he turned angry and wanted to annul his marriage with Queen Eliana of Loha. Eliana walked through Fwabosi with her feet bared to beg for mercy. Ophia also interceded for her. The king finally forgave his wife in the voice of citizens and exhortation of his mother. Ophia appreciated Eliana's tenacity and piety much. They kept a good relationship. Eliana died in 972, greatly grieved Ophia like her own daughter' death.

Death
Ophia worried about her children's marriages in her late years.

After the death of Eliana of Loha, although the king already had 5 sons and 1 daughter, he was still too young to be a widower, while the queen mother and ministers thought so, thus finding a bride for the king began. Ophia hoped her son could marry his sister Princess Kalantha's daughter, Elanca of Jeesa, but the king himself considered to marry Princess Puspa of Shadra, sister of King Iven IV of Maharapura, through whom he can succeed the throne of Maharapura, but failed in the end. As his mother's wish, Oraj III wedded Elanca, but the new queen and her family arouse his discontent tremendously. When Oraj learnt that King Iven IV died, he immediately annul the marriage with Elanca, and took Iven's dowager queen Rioanna for his wife, which caused arguments in the court. The king struggled with his ex-wife for many years, and Ophia could do nothing to lighten their confrontations.

Ophia's favorite daughter, Madharia Charsi, nicknamed "Chacha", fell in love with an impecunious poet Rene Hason, and insisted to marry him. Ophia thought Rene just coveted Madharia's status, so she didn't allow it, but it caused Madharia's elopement with Hason. Ophia was so inconsolable. She didn't see Madharia again in her later life. Madharia and Hason didn't return to the court until their indigence in 983 when Ophia had died for 4 years. Oraj III was indignant about Madharia's behavior. He put Hason into the prison, held Madharia in the Grand Royal Temple and forced her to become a nun. Madharia can't see Hason again.

Ophia died in the Grand Royal Temple on 14 May 979, when her husband accompanied her. She left a letter, in which she pleased the king to take care of his step-father and siblings and never to abandon them. Oraj III offered his step-father and siblings annuity, but urged them to leave the court, because he thought with Ophia dead, the Charsi family had been no relationship with the royals, and were not necessary to stay at the court.

Ophia's funeral was held on 8 July. She was buried with Lebinande II, in El Bahal.

Issue
with Lebinande II:

1. Henther Lebinande (27 March 945-11 August 950), Prince of Basha, unmarried

2. Madharia Connebetha (2 September 946-10 January 947)

3. Oraj Muhatanio (29 January 949-30 April 992), future Oraj III, King of Sayamati, married three times: 1) Eliana of Loha 2) Elanca of Jeesa 3) Rioanna of Hsindra, and had one disputed marriage, with Joana de Dongulas.

With Alan Charsi:

1. Madharia Charsi (7 March 956-1024), nicknamed "Chacha", married poet Rene Hason. Her marriage was regarded annulled, and she was forced to become a nun.

2. Kensa Alan Charsi, Count of Sorase (13 November 957-25 September 1022), married Liuatrice of Forle-Tihallo.

3. Eulie Charsi, Viscount of Finjin (6 January 959-17 February 1031), married twice: 1) Anna de Naïs 2) Hecaébel de Tufin.

4. Moshacca Charsi (23 June 961-4 June 998), married Joan de Sangri.