Helena Hahn

Helena Hahn was born on August 12, 1831, in Kingdom of Prussia. Her father was a farmer, but her mother’s occupation is unknown. Tragically, they both passed away when she was only one year old due to a Cholera outbreak, also known as The Asiatic Cholera Pandemic, that spread from India to Russia and the rest of Europe. Helena miraculously survived and was taken into the care of a group of nuns in Prussia. She grew up inside the walls of a convent, dedicating most of her first years of life to religion.   When Helena was just thirteen, she started to work and study as a voluntary nurse in a local hospital near the convent. She loved to work with the patients, mainly focusing on daily care and organizing activities for the patients convened to their beds. She cared deeply for her patients and wanted them to continue with their lives as best as possible.   After working for two years at the local hospital, she applied for a job at the hospital in Lutheria. This job would allow her to earn an income and live independently. Although she enjoyed living in the convent with her sisters, she felt the need to experience the world and help others. She was accepted for the job and moved to Kilden, where she found a small apartment close to the hospital.   During one of her shifts, Helena met Bernardus Lutz, who had a head injury after falling against a table during a drunken fit. She tended to him like other patients and initially didn’t think much of him. Helena kept her work and private life strictly separated. However, after a few days, Bernardus returned to thank her and boldly asked her out on a date. Initially hesitant, she eventually accepted as she felt a bit sorry for him stumbling over his words. One date turned into several, eventually leading to a secret rendezvous where the two got carried away in the moment.   A few weeks later, Helena found out she was pregnant when she fell sick and had to stay in bed. When she told Bernardus, he immediately asked her to marry him, fearing a scandal. Unfortunately, in their tight-knit community, the word was already out. Helena accepted the proposal, knowing she would be ruined if she did not. However, she became sicker and sicker, and the couple had to postpone their marriage.   When Helena’s first child, Theo Lutz, was born, her health did not improve. She suffered from extreme fatigue, sickness, and stress. It took months for her to recover, yet she insisted on taking care of the child. A year after Theo’s birth, Helena and Bernardus got married at St. Mary’s Chapel in Lutheria. Helena was a little hesitant about Bernardus because she knew he occasionally suffered from anger attacks. Still, she was sure she could help him with that, and her love for her child meant she had to stay with him. Although Bernardus could be quite aggressive, even towards her, she knew it was out of fear and worry. Helena knew how to calm him down.   On March 30, 1853, Helena gave birth to her second child, Arendt Lutz, two years after her first child. This time, the pregnancy went smoothly and Helena was healthy and in good spirits. However, Bernardus was extremely nervous about the birth. He avoided dealing with the pregnancy by locking himself away in the shed or working long hours. Although Helena tried to involve him, he seemed stiff and cold. After Arendt was born, Bernardus showed no interest in the child, almost as if he was afraid of him.   Although the marriage with Bernardus had its ups and downs, Helena loved him deeply and knew it was mutual. Helena was also liked by her parents-in-law, especially Josephina Vos. She convinced her to come and work in her parents’ shop, as Josephina was looking for an heir since her daughter Lisa declined. Helena loved it. She discovered she had an interest in fashion and other beautiful things, and she was a natural at communicating with customers. This time she could care for other less depressing needs of people and help them look their best. After working for a few weeks in the shop, she decided to quit her job at the hospital and work full-time in the shop. There she started learning all there is to know from Josephina, so she would one day be ready to take it over.   Helena possesses a natural beauty, with a round face and a melancholic expression. Her big green eyes, dark eyebrows, and soft mouth further enhance her charm. She takes care of her appearance and visage, maintaining a slender figure.