Apprentice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #2)

Hannah Nicole Maehrer

Apprentice to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #2)

Hannah Nicole Maehrer
63 pages2-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2024

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Evangelina is a 23-year-old optimist who works as the dedicated assistant to the kingdom's notorious villain. She took over caring for her family at age 13 following her mother's disappearance and her father's supposed illness. Though naturally cheerful and eager to please, recent betrayals push her to adopt a more hardened, protective stance. She relies on her wits and a magically responsive dagger to survive dangerous situations.

Key Relationships

Romantic interest of Trystan Maverine

Older sister of Lyssa

Daughter of Griffin

Daughter of Nura Sage

Younger sister of Gideon

Coworker of Rebecka Erring

Enemy of King Benedict

Trystan is a 29-year-old man burdened with death-adjacent magic that allows him to exploit the physical weaknesses of others. Branded as a villain by the kingdom, he fully embraces the role to protect his employees, though he strictly targets assassins and corrupt figures. He wrestles with a profound sense of isolation, fearing his dark abilities will inevitably harm those closest to him.

Key Relationships

Employer of Evangelina Sage

Best friend of Alexander Kingsley

Older brother of Clarissa

Son of Arthur

Brother of Malcolm

Enemy of King Benedict

Childhood friend of Tatianna

King Benedict rules Rennedawn with a benevolent public facade that completely hides his ruthless ambition. He seeks to fulfill an ancient magical prophecy at any cost, recklessly pushing the boundaries of magic even as his experiments drain the land's resources. He views anyone with powerful abilities as either a tool to exploit or an obstacle to eliminate.

Key Relationships

Captor of Trystan Maverine

Enemy of Evangelina Sage

Employer of Griffin

Former employer of Gideon

Ally of Renna Fortis

Supporting Characters

Alexander is the former crown prince of the Southern Kingdom who was accidentally transformed into a frog by an errant magical curse years ago. Despite losing his political standing and human form, he retains his sharp wit and fiercely loyal nature. He frequently stows away on dangerous missions to ensure his chosen family remains safe.

Key Relationships

Best friend of Trystan Maverine

Friend of Evangelina Sage

Tatianna operates as the resident healer at Massacre Manor and shares a long history as a childhood friend of the boss. Easily recognizable by her preference for pink clothing, she brings a lighthearted, grounded energy to the eccentric group of employees. She acts as a vital stabilizing presence when her colleagues spiral into anxiety or physical danger.

Key Relationships

Childhood friend of Trystan Maverine

Former fiancee of Clarissa

Friend of Evangelina Sage

Clarissa is Trystan's younger sister, a determined fighter recently reunited with him after a decade of estrangement. She actively works to mend their fractured relationship and integrate into the eccentric household at Massacre Manor. Her presence adds familial warmth to an office largely composed of outcasts.

Key Relationships

Younger sister of Trystan Maverine

Former fiancee of Tatianna

Daughter of Arthur

Rebecka works as the strict, pragmatic Human Resources Manager at Massacre Manor. After fleeing a treacherous family dynamic, she adopted a gruff exterior and relies heavily on rigid organization to feel secure. Beneath her stern rules and sharp reprimands, she fiercely protects her coworkers and ensures the manor runs efficiently.

Key Relationships

Coworker of Evangelina Sage

Romantic interest of Blade Gushiken

Daughter of Renna Fortis

Sister of Raphael

Blade serves as the enthusiastic dragon tamer at Massacre Manor. He cares deeply for the dangerous magical creatures in his charge, including a massive dragon and venom-breathing guvres. He provides lighthearted banter and steady emotional support to his high-strung colleagues.

Key Relationships

Romantic interest of Rebecka Erring

Employee of Trystan Maverine

Caretaker of Fluffy

Griffin is Evangelina's father, an unrepentant and manipulative man who faked a debilitating illness for years to exploit his young daughters. He secretly operated as a Valiant Guard for the king, using his own family as pawns in larger political schemes. He remains defiant, unapologetic, and highly deceitful even while imprisoned.

Key Relationships

Father of Evangelina Sage

Father of Lyssa

Husband of Nura Sage

Subordinate to King Benedict

Nura is Evangelina's missing mother, a woman who possessed uncontrollable starlight magic. Her sudden disappearance years ago left her children vulnerable, creating a void that defined much of her daughter's early life. Her surviving letters serve as crucial guides to fulfilling an ancient prophecy regarding the land's failing magic.

Key Relationships

Mother of Evangelina Sage

Mother of Gideon

Mother of Lyssa

Wife of Griffin

Gideon is Evangelina's older brother, long believed dead after a childhood magical accident wiped his memories. He spent years working for the king before slowly regaining his past identity. He possesses a unique anti-magic ability that suppresses the powers of those around him, an ability that carries heavy emotional baggage.

Key Relationships

Older brother of Evangelina Sage

Son of Nura Sage

Older brother of Lyssa

Former employee of King Benedict

Lyssa is Evangelina's clever and independent 10-year-old sister. She actively tries to assist the staff at Massacre Manor, though her well-meaning efforts—like attempting to play matchmaker or teaching a dragon dangerous tricks—often result in chaos. She possesses a highly trusting nature that makes her vulnerable to manipulation.

Key Relationships

Younger sister of Evangelina Sage

Younger sister of Gideon

Daughter of Griffin

Daughter of Nura Sage

Friend of Fluffy

Renna is the matriarch of the Fortis family, living in a sprawling estate guarded by sentient vines. She prioritizes the survival of her family and her ailing mother above all else, making highly questionable alliances to achieve her goals. Her past attempts to extract magical power caused a severe rift with her daughter.

Key Relationships

Mother of Rebecka Erring

Mother of Raphael

Helena is Evangelina's cousin and the eccentric manager of the Deadlands Playhouse in Heart Village. She operates entirely outside the jurisdiction of any kingdom and openly despises the ruling monarchs. She uses her position to glean information, practice theatrical ambushes, and meddle in the romantic lives of her captives.

Key Relationships

Cousin of Evangelina Sage

Arthur is Trystan's father, who was falsely imprisoned by the king to force his son's compliance. His relationship with his son remains strained by years of estrangement and past disagreements over how to handle dangerous magic.

Key Relationships

Father of Trystan Maverine

Father of Clarissa

Fluffy is a large, loyal dragon housed at Massacre Manor. Despite the intimidating species, Fluffy is well-cared for by the staff and slowly learns new, dangerous skills—like breathing fire—with the enthusiastic help of the younger residents.

Key Relationships

Ward of Blade Gushiken

Friend of Lyssa

Malcolm is Trystan's brother, who recently lost his tavern due to his family association. He harbors deep resentment over the destruction of his livelihood but retains enough familial loyalty to share crucial information when his siblings need it.

Key Relationships

Brother of Trystan Maverine

The cave creature is an immortal sentry and a force of nature guarding a stash of magical stardust. Unlike other ancient creators who abandoned the world, it stays behind to fiercely protect its small domain from human greed. It responds surprisingly well to basic manners.

Key Relationships

Benefactor to Evangelina Sage

Raphael is one of the boisterous Fortis brothers. He trains in combat at his family's enchanted estate and fully buys into the harsh, unsentimental traditions of his household, often clashing physically and verbally with his estranged sister.

Key Relationships

Brother of Rebecka Erring

Son of Renna Fortis