The "Kvinna" or secondary royal of New Timoran, Elise is the king's niece but feels entirely out of place among the cruel nobility. She possesses a strong sense of justice, despising the kingdom's enslavement of the Ettan people, and actively befriends the serfs who work in her household. Forced into a marriage arrangement to secure medical care for her ill father, she seeks agency in a society that grants women very little.

A prominent vow broker and matchmaker entrusted by King Zyben to find a suitable husband for Elise. Legion is a handsome, mysterious outsider who grew up in an orphanage and quickly rose to prominence in New Timoran society. Unlike typical noblemen, he respects Elise's intelligence and insists that the final choice of a husband will be entirely hers.

The son of King Zyben and the heir apparent to the New Timoran throne. Calder is cold, cruel, and fiercely prejudiced against anyone who is not of Timoran blood. He seeks to consolidate his power through his engagement to Runa and shows active hostility toward the kingdom's marginalized groups.

A nobleman from the Eastern Kingdom and an old acquaintance of Elise's. As one of her primary suitors, Jarl initially appeals to Elise by sharing her distaste for the current king's harsh rule and proposing ideas for unifying the kingdom's divided people. However, his political ambitions make others question his true motives.

An Ettan serf who works as a maid in the Lysander household. Having served Elise since they were teenagers, Mavie has moved past the initial resentment of her enslaved status to form a genuine, close friendship with the young royal. She often joins Elise in secret combat training sessions in the forest.

A highly skilled Ettan serf who works alongside Mavie as Elise's maid. Siverie possesses superior fighting abilities and a somewhat guarded demeanor. Despite the kingdom's rigid class divides, she forms a tight bond with Elise, though she remains deeply suspicious of Legion Grey and his companions.

A half-Ettan carpenter living in the town outside Ravenspire Castle. He treats Elise as an equal rather than a princess, frequently trading books with her and occasionally slipping her mischievous reading material. He serves as a trusted connection to the world outside the palace walls.

A boisterous stable hand working at the Lysander palace. Halvar is one of Legion's closest friends, having grown up with him in a waif house after arriving in New Timoran. He watches out for Elise on Legion's behalf and proves to be a highly capable fighter.

A solemn Ettan man who works closely with Legion Grey to help arrange Elise's marriage bids. Like Halvar, he is fiercely loyal to Legion and shares a long history with him from their time in the orphanage. He frequently aids Legion in monitoring the volatile political situations around Ravenspire Castle.

The kind, longtime steward of the Lysander palace. He manages the household affairs and has watched Elise grow up within the restrictive royal family. While he outwardly appears to be just a dutiful servant, he quietly keeps a watchful eye on the growing unrest in the kingdom and harbors his own secrets.

Elise's older sister and the future queen of New Timoran. Vain and ambitious, Runa fully embraces the rigid, prejudiced attitudes of the Timoran nobility. She is perfectly content to marry her cousin Calder to secure her power and frequently turns a blind eye to the cruelty inflicted upon the Ettan serfs.

The ruthless ruler of New Timoran and Elise's uncle. Zyben prioritizes power and control above all else, enforcing strict hierarchies that subjugate the Ettan people. He cruelly leverages the medical treatment of Elise's father to force her compliance in the marriage market.

Elise's father, who suffers from a fatal illness. His need for medical treatment gives the king absolute leverage over his household, forcing him to comply with Zyben's demands regarding Elise's future. He grows increasingly suspicious of Elise's independent behavior.

Elise's mother. She aligns perfectly with the rigid and inequitable social structures of the Timoran royals, caring deeply about prestige and nobility while showing little concern for the Ettan serfs in their household.

King Zyben's wife and the queen of New Timoran. Like her husband, she enjoys exercising power and control, notably commanding Fate's Daughter to perform prophecies for her guests' entertainment.

A veiled, part-fae child possessing the magic of fury. She is brought to royal gatherings to deliver cryptic prophecies that unfailingly come true, leaving Elise confused by messages about trusting the undeserving and embracing the beast within.

The historical last queen of the Ettan royals. A Timoran who married an Ettan king, Lilianna chronicled her deep love for her husband and children in a journal. Her writings provide Elise with comfort and a vision of a kingdom ruled by justice and genuine affection rather than power.