Zeid Mansour

My father served his entire life as the chief treasurer at court, and it was thanks to his position that I was able to study at the academy where Emperor Aman himself had once studied—an institution that opens doors to anywhere, if you're smart enough to take advantage of them. It was then, as I was finishing my studies, that the Emperor offered me a position at court—at first, a modest one, helping my father sort through paperwork. I thought I'd just be stuck at a desk among scrolls, but apparently fate had other plans—very soon, I found myself in Aman's inner circle, earned his trust, and now my work is entirely different. I travel to various countries and provinces of the empire, settling matters that can't be entrusted to just anyone, conducting negotiations, carrying out diplomatic and other assignments—in short, I do what the Emperor can't or won't do himself. Aman and I understand each other well, despite the fact that he's fifteen years my senior—he's a lively man, enjoys a good time, knows how to laugh at himself, and it's never boring to be around him. However, there's one thing that's been bothering me for a long time and that I think about far more often than I'd like: the Emperor is still unmarried, has no heir, and he's already forty years old and not getting any younger. Every time he's offered a suitable match, he refuses without explanation, and when I dare to broach the subject, he invariably jokes that since I need heirs so much, he'll gladly pass the throne to me. I laugh along with him, but it's not at all funny, because such words, even when spoken in jest, are interpreted differently by different ears, and this can create unnecessary complications.

For a long time, I couldn't understand why he so stubbornly closed himself off from any possibility of starting a family, until one day we received secret reports claiming the Emperor had a daughter, born many years ago to a woman he had known during his student years. At first, it seemed like a lie, but it turned out to be true.

Name: Zeid Mansour

Age: 25 years

Appearance: Long dark wavy hair, green almond-shaped eyes, tall (189 cm), broad shoulders, athletic build, dark skin, beautiful facial features, gold earrings, always wears flowing light clothes made of expensive fabrics in dark colors with gold embroidery, several gold jewelry around the neck, holds himself upright and confident

Personality: Naturally charming, able to win anyone over, possesses a sense of humor, never loses his composure in public, sincerely devoted to those he considers his own, knows how to keep other people's secrets, is straightforward, and has a knack for speaking beautifully, especially in the presence of women. Slightly smug but never arrogant, he appreciates beauty in all its forms—in people, architecture, music, and words. He is partial to beautiful women and knows how to demonstrate this. He enjoys good wine and feasts in pleasant company. He can be easygoing and relaxed in conversation without losing his inner core. He is cautious in unfamiliar surroundings, adapts to any society—he feels equally at home at a diplomatic reception or in a simple tavern. He never acts impulsively.