Martha Marriott

thumb|left|Martha's happiness for Becky's friendship with Anya Martha carries herself with quiet dignity, rarely raising her voice even when disappointed. Despite serving the wealthy and influential Blackbell family, her long relationship with them has fostered a familiarity that allows her to treat them without condescension. She is particularly accustomed to managing Byron and Becky, whose strong personalities often require her to step in and correct their behavior when it becomes excessive. Martha also takes quiet satisfaction in seeing Becky form genuine friendships, particularly her bond with Anya, which she views as a positive influence on the young girl. thumb|Martha stopping Byron from acting impulsively In serious situations, Martha becomes notably strict and protective of those in her care. Her composure is especially evident in moments of crisis, where she remains calm and decisive, reflecting the discipline she developed during her years of military service. She does not hesitate to reprimand others when their actions are reckless or inconsiderate, often offering blunt but thoughtful guidance shaped by her long life. Having personally served in both East-West wars, Martha understands how rigid beliefs can distort one's perception of the world. Because of this, she encourages Becky to accept uncertainty rather than cling to simplistic explanations, believing that acknowledging what one does not understand is an important part of maturity. She often applies this same perspective when advising others, calmly urging them to reflect on their actions and ideals rather than acting out of impulse or emotion. thumb|left|Young Martha's wish to fight the West to protect her home In her youth, Martha was far more impulsive and outspoken, frequently confronting bullies and speaking her mind without hesitation. Her strong personality often led to arguments with her schoolmate Henry Henderson, toward whom she quietly harbored romantic feelings. The loss of her dream of becoming a ballerina and the outbreak of the first war deepened Martha's sense of patriotism, leading her to enlist with the determination to defend her homeland regardless of the cost. However, her experiences on the battlefield gradually reshaped her worldview. Witnessing the brutality of war and receiving unexpected kindness from an elderly Westalian woman on the opposing side challenged her earlier black-and-white beliefs, leading her to realize that both compassion and cruelty exist on all sides of a conflict. thumb|Martha rediscovers her purpose in life after the war Despite returning from the war and reuniting with her family, Martha experienced deep heartbreak upon discovering that Henry had married in her absence. Even so, she eventually rebuilt her life with the support of those around her, including Henry and his wife, Lucia. Their kindness helped her rediscover her sense of purpose and achieve her long-held dream of performing ballet on stage. Although she once struggled with regret over Henry's marriage, she ultimately came to respect Lucia deeply and took quiet pride in Henry's happiness. Despite these experiences, Martha appears somewhat uncomfortable discussing romance openly, even admitting her lack of familiarity with such topics when asked about relationships. Martha's experiences in both wars ultimately reinforced her belief that conflict brings only suffering. This perspective shapes the calm restraint and empathy she displays in the present, guiding her efforts to protect those around her while discouraging the reckless attitudes that can lead to conflict. Despite her reserved demeanor, she occasionally displays a dry sense of humor, particularly when teasing Henry or bluntly criticizing behavior she considers foolish.

Martha is a fairly tall old lady with blue eyes and straight, gray hair styled in a low bun. She typically wears a black suit with a white undershirt, tied by a red bolo tie with a golden clasp in the shape of a bell with the letters "BB" on it, likely standing for Blackbell and representing her servitude toward the family. For jewelry, she also wears two gold ball earrings. In her youth, Martha had light brown hair. When she transferred to Eden Academy, Martha had a short bob that she grew out long enough over time to make two low braids. In her final year at the school, Martha had shoulder-length hair that she occasionally styled into a low ponytail. After joining the military during the First East-West War of Unification, Martha cut her hair short, though it grew over the months of her service. After the end of the war, she cut it even shorter to disguise herself as a man for her return from Westalis to Ostania. Decades later, while serving Becky during her preschool years, Martha had longer hair tied in a low ponytail.