Mad King Rodric

King Rodric, called Mad King Rodric behind his back was acknowledged to be the best tactician Aloria has ever seen, he also seemed to be touched by the Creator. Rodric married Teresa San Benedict at 18 years old. It was a whirlwind courtship, but one her family heartily approved of as he was the heir apparent. Shortly after their marriage Rodric went through the Rite of Coronation and became the king of Aloria.
A year after the marriage Edward was born. After the prince was born Teresa became pregnant several more times, but she was never able to carry another baby to term. Rumors began to circulate she had been cursed or the Creator was sending a message to King Rodric. The stress caused Teresa to turn inwards and on the day of Edward’s fifth birthday, she came down the stairs screaming incoherently. Her handmaiden grabbed Teresa before she reached Edward, and the king had her locked away. Quietly he arranged for his divorce to her. After his birthday Edward took to wearing black to mourn the change of his mother. She went to live at the San Benedict estate where her handmaiden stayed by her until her death years later from the vapors.
A short while after the divorce King Rodric’s head was turned again by Regan San William. Two weeks after meeting they were married and shortly later she was pregnant with her son Nathaniel. After her birth, a courtier began paying court to her and Regan’s head was turned away from her king. She and the courtier entered into a plan, but before the plan could be carried out it was discovered by a rival faction. Regan and her paramour were beheaded for treason. Edward took his younger brother under his wing and the two became fast friends.
King Rodric did not seem to have the constitution to stay unmarried long, and while at a ball given by the San Cross family he met Harriet. They fell in love and married. It seemed King Rodric’s curse with love had finally ended for theirs was a happy marriage. Three years into their marriage Harriet became pregnant and gave birth to a girl. However after Carolyn was born she never seemed to recover her strength and faded away within months of Carolyn’s birth.
Rodric grieved for Harriet, and for a time would not leave his castle, but the seasons changed and one day as he thought of his beloved Harriet he glanced out his window and saw a young girl like his beloved Harriet. He called down to her and she smiled at him. Thus was born the fiery passions of Delilah San Martine. Rodric and Delilah were married and all the country smiled at the happiness their king enjoyed. Excitement poured forth yet again as news spread of Delilah’s confinement. After her confinement, a great christening was held for their daughter, Evelyn. All came to meet and bless the child, and as the praise of her daughter’s great beauty was repeated over and over her heart grew cold towards her child and her husband. She locked herself away, and pleaded for a divorce choosing instead to seclude herself in the austere halls of a nunnery. Sadly King Rodric granted his wife’s request, and so she chose to leave Landington never to be seen by man again.
His grief did not live long as Coraline San Hozen was brought to court and her comely face and bright eyes did ensare the king. To celebrate their wedding and because she wished to see more of the world they set out on a voyage. Alas, they were beset by privateers from Rholdan and in the course of the battle, Queen Coraline was slain.
Great was King Rodric’s wrath and he did declare war on Rholdan. Prince Edward valiant and brave did join his father in battle, and earned much praise from the soldiers he served with. Prince Nathaniel, though young joined the battle as well, though he did not have his father’s gift with the sword.
Bravely Nathaniel went forward into battle beside his brother, only to fall to the sword. Edward vowing vengance on those who would slay his brother set forth, and took the field that day, ensuring a great victory for Aloria. King Rodric carried forth the young prince’s victory and did pursue it into the capital of Rholdan. There he took the Princess Isabella Valentina Esperanza Mariana Valeria as his wife and with that peace was gained between the two peoples.
King Rodric returned home with his Rholdanese Princess and they danced through the nights and sang through the days. A year into their marriage Isabella gave birth to Gwendolyn, a most beautiful daughter, the happy family brought much joy to the kingdom. Alas, it did not last and Isabella took ill with a malady and soon passed. The king was heartbroken, and only the sight of his young daughter Gwendolyn could bring him out of his languor.
The young princess needed a governess to care for her, so a young maiden from Landington was brought to watch over and educate Princess Gwendolyn. Lizzie Smith cared for the young princess as if she was her very own. King Rodric watched with joy as his daughter’s tears turned to laughter, and slowly his tears too faded away as he watched young Lizzie care for his daughter.
One day in the garden King Rodric caught Lizzie in his arms and confessed his love for her, and she accepted his proposal. They married after the bans had been cried, shortly thereafter Prince William was born, though his mother never called him William, he was always Liam from the youngest age. Many in the country whispered behind hands they had never seen the king so happy since before Queen Coraline had died so tragically.
King Rodric passed suddenly as he prepared for a conflict with the Free Towns as he tired of their endless raids on Alorian ships. If words would not change their behavior, perhaps swords will.