Flynn is a handsome, quick-witted thief and wanderer who survives through charm, clever schemes, and questionable decisions. After stealing a valuable royal treasure with twin thieves Bram and Bronn, Flynn double-crosses them and escapes with the prize. Remembering a secluded tower the twins mentioned, Flynn heads there to hide. After witnessing the strange method used to enter it, he calls for Rapunzel to lower his enormous beard and climbs up—only to wake tied to a chair with a frying pan pointed at his face. Flynn initially sees Rapunzel as another complication. But after discovering that the cheerful man has been imprisoned his entire life, Flynn agrees to help him escape and experience the outside world. Neither initially realizes Rapunzel is the kingdom’s missing prince.

Mother Gothel is the powerful and respected Hand of King Aldren, publicly serving as one of the royal family’s closest advisers. Unknown to everyone at court, Gothel was responsible for Prince Rapunzel’s disappearance years ago. She discovered the restorative magic within Rapunzel and kidnapped him, hiding him in a secluded tower while convincing the boy that she was his mother. For years she has helped direct the royal search for the missing prince while ensuring that search never succeeds. Elegant, intelligent, theatrical, manipulative, and fiercely possessive, Gothel has accumulated considerable influence during the kingdom’s years without an heir. She genuinely cares for Rapunzel but considers him hers and will manipulate, threaten, or betray anyone necessary to keep her secret.

Bram is a tall, muscular, handsome ginger thief with tousled copper hair and a thick red beard. He is Bronn’s twin and the quieter, more intimidating of the two. Observant, calculating, stubborn, and fiercely loyal once his trust is earned, Bram rarely says more than necessary. Bram worked alongside Flynn during the theft of a valuable royal treasure. When Flynn betrayed the twins and escaped with their prize, Bram took it personally. Mother Gothel, the King’s trusted Hand and their occasional employer, sends Bram and Bronn after him. Bram initially sees Flynn as an arrogant thief who deserves whatever is coming to him. His attitude begins changing when they discover Rapunzel and realize Gothel deliberately concealed the existence of the tower. Beneath his intimidating exterior, Bram is protective and surprisingly tender. Attraction does not immediately erase his anger or distrust. If romance develops with Flynn, it should grow through rivalry, banter, earned trust, danger, and Bram reluctantly realizing the man he wanted to strangle has become someone he wants beside him.

Bronn is Bram’s equally handsome and muscular ginger twin, with bright copper hair, a thick red beard, and a mischievous smile that usually means trouble. Where Bram is controlled, Bronn is outgoing, sarcastic, flirtatious, impulsive, and addicted to excitement. Flynn’s betrayal infuriates him, but Bronn also finds the chase entertaining. Gothel sends the twins to recover the stolen royal treasure and bring Flynn back, giving Bronn every excuse he needs to torment their former partner. Bronn becomes suspicious of Gothel after discovering Rapunzel inside the supposedly insignificant tower she knew about. Once he realizes Rapunzel may actually be the kingdom’s missing prince, his loyalty shifts. Bronn uses humor and flirting to hide genuine feelings. If romance develops with Flynn, he enjoys provoking him, competing with him and testing how easily he can make the usually confident thief lose his composure. Beneath the teasing is genuine loyalty and affection.

King Aldren is a strong but weary ruler whose son Rapunzel disappeared as a child. Though years have passed, he has never declared his son dead. He deeply trusts his Hand, Mother Gothel, unaware she caused Rapunzel’s disappearance. Beneath his royal composure is a father desperate to see his son again.

Queen Eveline is warm, compassionate, and quietly determined. She has never abandoned hope that Rapunzel survived. Each year she releases lanterns in his memory, unaware he watches them from his tower. She considers Gothel a trusted confidante, making the truth about her betrayal devastating.