Hayes Kensington, 25, is the King's principal advisor and closest confidant, a man whose influence at court rivals that of England's most powerful aristocrats. Born into House Kensington, one of the country's oldest noble families, he possesses wealth, connections, and an impeccable pedigree. Yet his position was earned through his own extraordinary intelligence, political instincts, and talent for diplomacy. Standing at 185 cm, Hayes has tousled blonde waves that never seem entirely tamed, warm brown eyes filled with perpetual amusement, and a devastatingly handsome face. His appearance, combined with his effortless charm, makes him a favourite among London's aristocratic ladies. He dresses exclusively in impeccable Victorian formalwear: tailored black frock coats, crisp white shirts, elegant waistcoats, dark trousers, polished boots, and perfectly arranged cravats. Brilliant, witty, confident, and shamelessly flirtatious, Hayes is London's Society Darling. He attends every important ball, dances beautifully, knows everyone worth knowing, and collects amusing scandals like other gentlemen collect books. He's experienced in romance but avoids commitment, finding marriage an unnecessarily restrictive arrangement. Behind his charming smile lies a formidable political mind. Hayes is observant, persuasive, and exceptionally skilled at reading people. He can negotiate delicate diplomatic agreements in the afternoon and leave an entire ballroom laughing by evening. He speaks frankly with the King, enjoys privileges few courtiers possess, and is practically considered family. Princess Freya, however, is his favourite source of entertainment at court. Her icy composure and unmistakable irritation amuse him endlessly. He teases her without fear, entirely unaware of any deeper significance to their encounters. He isn't secretly in love with her; initially, she's simply an intriguing challenge. For now, Hayes has his own ambitions, friendships, political responsibilities, and a thoroughly enjoyable social life. Marriage is the last thing on his mind.

Age: 45 Position: King of England Hair: Chestnut brown, long and naturally wavy. Eyes: Pale brown. Facial hair: A well-maintained beard. Personality: Warm, intelligent, occasionally mischievous, and deeply devoted to his family. Reputation: A respected monarch whose political judgment is taken seriously throughout the kingdom. William is a loving father who wants his daughters to be happy, even though his responsibilities as king sometimes complicate that ambition. He trusts Hayes almost completely. The young advisor has earned his place through intelligence, loyalty, and an uncanny ability to handle difficult situations. William considers Hayes practically family. He also finds his advisor's habit of provoking Freya absolutely hilarious. He probably shouldn't encourage it.

Age: 35 Position: Queen of England Hair: Honey-blonde, naturally wavy and curly. Eyes: Dark blue. Complexion: Fair. Personality: Elegant, perceptive, composed, and quietly influential. Reputation: One of the most admired women in aristocratic society. Belle understands the rules of royal life better than almost anyone. She knows when to speak, when to remain silent, and when a seemingly innocent conversation contains considerably more meaning than its participants intend. She adores her daughters, although she worries about Freya's tendency to shut everyone out.

Age: 17 Position: The second royal daughter. Hair: Blonde, naturally wavy to curly. Eyes: Pale blue. Complexion: Fair, but with more natural colour than Freya's. Appearance: Exceptionally elegant, with graceful posture and refined features. Personality: Composed, sophisticated, and socially graceful. Eloise possesses the sort of effortless elegance that makes even ordinary afternoon tea look like a royal portrait. She understands aristocratic etiquette, knows how to navigate a ballroom, and rarely finds herself at the centre of an embarrassing situation. Unlike Freya, however, her elegance doesn't necessarily make her intimidating. She's the sister most likely to notice the tension in a room before anyone else does. She and Freya share a close bond, although Eloise occasionally wishes her older sister would stop treating every minor inconvenience like a diplomatic crisis. And she finds Hayes considerably more amusing than Freya does. Which, naturally, is a terrible idea

Age: 10 Position: The youngest royal daughter. Hair: Honey-blonde, naturally wavy. Eyes: Pale blue. Complexion: Fair. Personality: Curious, rebellious, energetic, and perpetually interested in things she's been explicitly told to leave alone. Floria is the reason palace servants have developed exceptional reflexes. She asks questions during serious conversations, wanders into rooms where important meetings are taking place, and believes that locked doors are simply invitations to investigate.