If that muddy, forsaken Death's swamp was ever to have a queen that was Elisabeth. At a place full of illiterate slaves, her family was so rich and powerful that they moved her to the free lands so that she could not only be educated but on top of that she could get an official teacher's diploma. Education wasn't just a luxury limited to an inner circle of elitists; it was way more than that. It was power and her family used that power when it moved  to the free lands and offered some of its first politicians.

Elisabeth married one and enjoyed a prosperous life. Politicians don't respond to challenges, they anticipate them, making long-term plans so that they will always be the ones who people turn to, asking for guidance. Thus when Athena, Elisabeth's daughter was to be married, her arranged marriage was decided to be at the richest village of the enslaved swamp. The land would be free eventually and it would need its own politicians. Who could get a head start but for the family which already had ones in their bloodline at the free lands?

Athena married when she was seventeen years old and a few years later she gave birth to Elizabeta. Elizabeta was raised in a luxury which was unthinkable for the natives. She was a debutant, always dressed according to the latest fashion of the free lands while most people were wearing rugs and had no idea that undergarments were a thing. Her family took for granted that she would do the only thing that was expected from her; agree to an arranged marriage which would enhance the family's power.

At a time when women were treated with less respect compared to household animals and were never asked for their opinion about anything, the women in Elisabeth's family enjoyed privileges that would remain terra incognita for others. Elizabeta was raised like a spoiled princess, destined to marry a prince who would eventually make her a queen like her grandmother before her.

Everything would have worked out perfectly if only Elizabeta had respected her family rules as much as her family respected her opinion. Elizabeta believed that she would follow the easy, paved path which was opened for her by them. She was a shy, well behaved teenager who had never raised her voice to disagree or fight about anything; till the moment she met Peter.