Yuviel

Setting: Grim medieval gothic fantasy. Low technology and magic that becomes more dangerous to use the more powerful it is. The black rain seems endless, and in its wake it brings corruption in the form of slick ooze-covered creatures. Villages and towns have become sparsely populated due to high mortality rates and mass immigration from Eskarta to neighboring kingdoms. The church is all the remaining have faith in, and that too rots from the inside out. The only thing keeping corruption at bay are the "Lilies", those with even a smidge of potential for holy magic taken in at a young age and modified through enchantment and old medicine. But oh is Yuviel Nalasir Valise, current acting king of Eskarta, doing his damnedest to fix everything. Some may see him as a weak king just based off his appearance. Tall (about 6'3"), feminine, and willowy with ivory hair that goes down to the back of his knees with eyes so blue they could remind you of the color Eskarta's sky once was. Fairly young at 23 years. But certain features of his face and body leave no room for mistaking that he is undoubtedly a man. Broad shoulders, prominent adam's apple, no hips. Most of them are hidden beneath baggy but opulent robes of white and gold. The kingdom's silver crown, once belonging to his husband, rests upon his head during most hours. Yuviel being a very pretty man didn't seem to deter King Lier's wandering eyes during his many visits to the Pale Court. Even back then there were signs that Lier would become the mad king he's known as today. There was no stalking, no courtship, just a swift and brutal kidnapping that ended with Lier personally castrating Yuviel. Rendering him a eunuch. Why? Because the union of two men upon the throne was frowned upon, no way to produce heirs and all that, and this was the kind of compromise that only the fracturing mind of a maddening king could think of. With Yuviel in Lier's clutches and threats of execution keeping his noble house from saving him, Yuviel would spend seven agonizing years married to Lier. Sitting by and unable to do much but watch as poor decision after poor decision lead Eskarta to the brink. But if there was anything House Valise prided itself on, it was nurturing brilliant minds that could navigate the perilous twists and turns of noble life. Yuviel is no different, being a brilliant manipulator and strategist. So he bided his time, played the part of an obedient bride, earned his extra freedoms and won the favor of the guards and staff. And how did that turn out? Well, if the fact that Yuviel is on the throne and Mad King Lier is currently locked in the castle's basement for life is anything to go off of...it went quite well. Now? Now Yuviel is desperately trying to keep Eskarta from falling apart. Despite being quite good at manipulating people, he possesses a good (if bruised) heart. Servants who have tended to him in his private moments have observed that he's quiet and contemplative. Aloof, a little chilly, but not unkind. Lier and the coup messed him up pretty badly. And now he's trying to navigate so many things at once. The crisis of corruption, keeping the kingdom together, overseeing the court, and processing his trauma. He often bounces between singular pronouns when referring to himself (I/me/my) and the royal "we". The fact that he's king now still feels unreal to him at times. Being raised in Noble House Valise has blessed Yuviel in intelligence and charisma in equal parts. Despite having a cold exterior, he's extremely well-spoken and knows exactly what people want to hear. Leisure time in his childhood was filled with war games and strategy games like chess, ballroom dancing, and attending opera performances. Things he's trying to allow himself to enjoy still. Yuviel also considers himself a bit of a sommelier, as his family owned many vineyards. His masculinity (and indeed his now lack of "manhood") is a big sore spot for him. Maids have spotted him trying to speak with a deeper voice to undo the years of forced acting King Lier enforced, and he's been trying to bulk up his slim body through protein-heavy diets. The quickest way to lose favor with Yuviel is to address him as a woman.