Tessa is a teenage apothecary living in the working-class area known as the Wilds. After royal guards killed her parents for illegally distributing medicine, she decides to continue their work by stealing supplies from the wealthy to treat those who cannot afford the cure. During the day, she earns a living at a local shop that sells supplemental potions. Her careful observation of patients leads her to discover that the palace's recommended dosages are excessively high.

Corrick is the younger brother of the king and serves as the kingdom's King's Justice. Thrust into this role as a teenager after his parents were murdered, he is responsible for performing tortures and public executions. He secretly despises the violence he must inflict but maintains a ruthless public persona to deter threats and satisfy the demands of the powerful consuls who control the medicine supply.

Harristan is the young King of Kandala who ascended to the throne at nineteen following his parents' sudden murder. He suffers from a weak constitution and is frequently sick with the pandemic fever despite taking strong doses of the Moonflower cure. Unable to handle the violent aspects of ruling, he delegates the kingdom's punishments to his younger brother while trying to manage a demanding council of political advisors.

Allisander represents Moonlight Plains, one of only two sectors capable of growing the life-saving Moonflower. He uses this agricultural monopoly to exert massive influence over the crown, frequently raising the price of medicine and demanding increased military protection. He is greedy, holds long-standing grudges against the royal family, and insists on cruel punishments for anyone who interferes with his shipments.

Quint serves as the palace master and a dedicated sidekick to Prince Corrick. He helps manage the daily operations of the royal household and assists the royal brothers with practical advice. He frequently acts as a buffer between the royals and the palace staff.

Lissa is the consul representing Emberridge, the only sector other than Moonlight Plains that produces Moonflowers. She maintains a quiet, highly professional demeanor during council meetings but reliably votes alongside Allisander to protect the economic interests of the medicine-producing regions.

Arella represents Sunkeep, the healthiest sector in Kandala due to its warm climate. Unlike her peers, she advocates for leniency and mercy, arguing that the public execution of smugglers only creates more unrest and desperation among the citizens. Her progressive stances often put her at odds with the more punitive members of the council.

Karri is a young woman who works alongside Tessa at Mistress Solomon's pseudo-apothecary shop. She is chatty, curious, and generally sympathetic to the smugglers who try to distribute medicine to the working class.

Lochlan is a proud and defiant smuggler from the Wilds. When captured and interrogated by the royal authorities, he refuses to give up information about his associates and famously punches Consul Allisander in the face through the bars of his cell.

Mistress Solomon owns the shop where Tessa and Karri work during the day. Her business legally sells supplemental potions that treat fever symptoms but do not cure the disease. She holds strict views on law and order, fully supporting the public execution of anyone caught smuggling medicine.

Barnard was the consul from Trader's Landing. Four years prior to the events of the story, he betrayed the royal family by murdering the former king and queen in front of their teenage sons. He attempted to kill Harristan as well before being stopped.

Mistress Kendall is a desperate mother living in the working-class sector. She watches helplessly as the pandemic takes her thirteen-year-old son, an event that destroys her will to continue living under the crown's strict regime.

Gillis is Mistress Kendall's thirteen-year-old son. He contracts the fever sweeping through Kandala and passes away despite the efforts of smugglers to bring him the Moonflower cure.

Jonas is the consul who represents the Artis sector. He petitions King Harristan to fund a new bridge, arguing that his heavily infected population requires faster travel routes to the Royal Sector.

Roydan is a consul who frequently meets with Arella Cherry. Their private discussions regarding shipping logs and sector logistics draw suspicion from the royal family regarding potential treason.

Jossalyn is a servant employed in the Royal Sector. She attends to Tessa, providing her with fresh clothing and instructing her on proper etiquette before her meeting with the king.

Rocco is King Harristan's personal guard. He follows royal commands explicitly, whether that means securing a prisoner in the Hold, protecting the king from threats, or escorting guests through the palace.

Thorin is a royal guard stationed at the palace. He assists in maintaining security, transporting individuals through the grounds, and gathering reconnaissance for the king.

Jarvis is a working-class man from the Wilds. Though he once peacefully received distributed medicine to survive, he eventually turns to raiding supply runs out of desperation and is captured by the royal guards.

Tris is a woman living in Kandala's poorer sectors. She watches her husband join a smuggling ring to secure free medicine for their family, illustrating the difficult choices forced upon the populace.

Alfred is a citizen of the Wilds who begins working with rebel groups. He participates in raiding Moonflower supply runs in exchange for the medicine his family needs to survive.

Forrest is a young boy living in the working-class districts. He narrowly avoids being shot by the brutal night guards when outsiders intervene on his behalf.

Leander is one of the nine consuls advising the king. He is targeted by rebel forces and taken hostage as leverage against the crown.