Sigurd Forgrave

In the anime, the economy isn't spelled out directly, but its influence is visible in the mechanisms of power:

Land holdings and taxes. The princes' power is reinforced by their control over lands and revenues. Any conflict over the throne is also a struggle for resources.
Military force. Knightly orders and garrisons are funded from the treasury, which means the army's loyalty directly depends on who controls the budget.
Marriage alliances as deals. Engagements and marriages aren't just personal stories—they're economic contracts that redistribute land, income, and influence.

Although the world isn't shown in great detail, the locations act as markers of power and vulnerability:

The capital and the royal court. This is where everything happens in plain sight: balls, audiences, public humiliations. It's the zone of maximum danger for anyone who disagrees with Kyle's course of action.
Church provinces. These are more autonomous territories where the crown's influence is weaker and the Church's influence is stronger. This is exactly where people go if they need to hide or gather information.
Borderlands. They're mentioned only indirectly, as zones of conflict and intrigue. They're important as a source of resources and military strength, but they remain in the background.

The Order of Saint Diana is a key element of the world. It isn't separate from the state — it's integrated into it:

Control of information. The Church gathers data about suspicious activities, especially among the aristocracy. This makes it a perfect setting for espionage.
Moral authority. Formally, the Church stands “above” politics, but in practice, its representatives often become tools in the hands of the powerful.
Cover for operations. When Sigurd infiltrates the Church, he leverages exactly this duality: his status as a knight allows him to move freely, while his neutral rhetoric helps him avoid raising suspicions.

Aristocracy and knighthood. Knights are not just warriors — they're part of a bureaucratic machine. Their loyalty is formalized through oaths, ranks, and orders. Sigurd is the son of a knight commander, and this gives him access to the highest circles, but it also makes him vulnerable: betraying his family here isn't a personal choice — it's considered a crime against the state.

Women in high society. The position of women is strictly regulated: they're treated as tools for political alliances. Engagements, marriages, and reputation are all levers of power. Scarlet's broken engagement is a vivid example of how the system uses women to strengthen authority — the public humiliation served as a political statement.

The Divine Church. This isn't just a religious organization; it's a powerful political player. The Order of Saint Diana has its own resources, a network of informants, and even a military structure. That's why Julius tasks Sigurd with finding out whether there's a spy in the church: betrayal here could cost not just one's career, but one's life.

The world is a kingdom with a rigid hierarchy, where status and rank determine everything. At the heart of the story lies a dynastic crisis: the two princes, Kyle and Julius, belong to the same branch of the ruling family, but their positions and methods differ drastically.

Power through fear (Kyle). Kyle relies on military strength and demonstrative suppression. His inner circle consists of people who are ready to resort to cruelty in order to preserve their privileges. For him, hierarchy is a tool of control: he doesn't just give orders — he humiliates others to cement his dominance. This is precisely why Sigurd has to act with great subtlety: open defiance in this system is tantamount to a death sentence.

Power through strength and strategy (Julius). Julius doesn't seek open rebellion. His strength lies in his understanding of the rules, his ability to leverage precedents, and his talent for finding allies among those who are weary of tyranny. He sees Sigurd not merely as a knight, but as someone who knows how to “play by the rules” in order to change the system from within.

This dichotomy creates the very space in which Sigurd can operate: he uses the system itself - ranks, protocols, and regulations - as both a shield and a weapon.

Who she is: the aristocrat caught in the middle of palace intrigues and Prince Kyle's cruelty.

Appearance and demeanor: she's graceful, but her posture increasingly shows tension and fatigue — she constantly feels cornered. Her gaze holds a mix of fear, pride, and anger.

Character: Scarlet isn't the kind to quietly endure injustice. She's quick‑tempered, straightforward, and isn't afraid to challenge those more powerful than her. At the same time, she's deeply vulnerable: her pride is a shield hiding a person who feels scared and alone.

How they interact: Sigurd and Scarlet share a very tense but honest dialogue, without any empty pretty words. He doesn't try to soothe her with hollow promises; instead, he acknowledges how heavy her situation is. Scarlet is angry with him for his restraint and for “just standing by,” yet she also understands that he's doing everything he can within the limits of the system. Their relationship is built on a silent mutual recognition: she knows he isn't her enemy, and he knows that her anger is really pain. The culmination comes when she's ready to hit him to release her resentment, and he doesn't dodge — thereby acknowledging his share of the guilt.

What this reveals about Sigurd: his willingness to take responsibility, even when he couldn't do more; his respect for someone else's pain; and his refusal to trivialize it.

Knights and officers in Kyle's entourage. Sigurd maintains formal, “work‑oriented” relationships with them. He keeps his distance without being dismissive, striking a neutral tone. This helps him appear as “one of their own” within the system while still gathering information.
The clergy of the Dianist Church. When Sigurd infiltrates the church, he communicates with them undercover, using polite, neutral language to avoid raising suspicions. His conversations there are a blend of courtesy and discreet information‑gathering.

Who he is: Sigurd's true loyalty lies with him. Julius is the one for whom Sigurd acts “in the shadows.”

Appearance and demeanor: Julius carries himself more calmly than Kyle; his manner reflects greater attention to detail and less showy assertion of power. He listens and draws conclusions, taking his time before giving orders.

Character: Julius doesn't seek open confrontation, but he isn't indifferent to injustice. He's skilled at seeing hidden motives and values ​​those who act intelligently rather than loudly.

How they interact: Their conversations are rare but extremely focused. Sigurd reports the facts without unnecessary emotion, and Julius asks precise questions. There's no familiarity between them, but there is deep mutual trust: Julius knows Sigurd will find a way to complete the task without compromising his principles, and Sigurd knows his efforts are seen and appreciated.

What does this reveal about Sigurd: it shows his loyalty, his ability to act for a long‑term goal rather than a momentary effect, and the fact that he has a moral compass that helps him stay true to himself in a toxic environment.

Who he is: Sigurd's official liege lord, a prince who uses power as a tool for pressure and control.

Appearance and demeanor: Kyle has a confident, almost deliberately showy posture. He speaks as if every word of his is law. His tone often sounds like an order, even when he's seemingly just musing aloud.

Character: Kyle is used to his will going unquestioned. He isn't so much evil as convinced of his right to govern other people's lives. For him, hierarchy is absolute, and he truly believes any means are justified if they strengthen his position.

How they interact: The dialogue between Sigurd and Kyle is always a high‑stakes balancing act. Sigurd doesn't argue outright, but neither does he obey blindly: he appeals to rules, ranks, and precedents to gently yet firmly block the most cruel orders. He speaks evenly, without emotion, as if he's merely reminding Kyle of the facts—but behind this formalism lies a subtle strategy. Kyle gets irritated because he can't break Sigurd with direct pressure, yet he's forced to take his arguments into account.

What this reveals about Sigurd: It showcases his strategic subtlety, his ability to use the system itself to counter injustice, and his cool‑headedness under pressure.

No magic, supernatural senses, or enhanced physical attributes.

No access to technologies or artifacts that give him an advantage.

His strength is entirely human: discipline, knowledge, patience, and the ability to use rules as a tool.

Planning and time management:
His actions often require precise timing: gathering information, passing it to the right people, and blocking an order at just the right moment. He's able to work under strict constraints and account for multiple variables.

Coordination in the shadows:
He acts so that his contribution is as effective as possible while remaining as inconspicuous as possible. This means he thinks ahead about how his steps will look from the outside and prepares “cover stories” in case of failure.

Observation and empathy:
He notices details in others' behavior and understands their hidden motives and emotional states. This helps him predict reactions, choose the right moment to act, and avoid traps.

Emotional discipline:
Sigurd knows how to keep his emotions under control and doesn't reveal his personal pain or anger, even when the situation is overwhelming. This isn't indifference — it's deliberate restraint: he deeply cares about those he can't help openly, but he doesn't let his emotions interfere with what needs to be done.

Taking responsibility:
He doesn't shift the blame and is ready to answer for his decisions—and even for his necessary inaction. For example, he lets Scarlet hit him as a form of penance—not for show, but to acknowledge his indirect role in her suffering.

This is what makes Sigurd unique in his environment: he turns rules, ranks, and protocols into weapons.

Knowledge of hierarchy and ranks:
Sigurd knows in detail who reports to whom, what powers each person holds, and where the boundaries of what's permissible lie. This is exactly what allows him to block unjust orders without entering into open conflict.
Example: when Kyle orders him to deal with Julius, Sigurd calmly reminds him that Julius holds the same rank, so Kyle can't simply act against him without risking his own position. Formally, this isn't resistance—it's a statement of the rules—but in essence, it's protection.

Ability to use wording and regulations:
He chooses his words so that they sound like he's fulfilling his duty, while in practice they block malicious orders or mitigate their consequences. This requires precise calculation and self‑control: a single wrong intonation or phrase could cost him his life.

Finding “loopholes” in the system:
Sigurd doesn't break the system; he finds its narrow spots where he can act in Julius's interests while still remaining formally within the rules. It's a combination of patience, strategic thinking, and knowledge of bureaucratic mechanisms.

Information gathering and analysis:
Sigurd acts as a “mole” within Prince Kail's circle: he observes, records details, and cross-references facts to pass the information on to Julius. His value lies in his ability to see the bigger picture and notice small inconsistencies that others overlook.

Infiltration and disguise:
He knows how to behave in a way that doesn't arouse suspicion, even in high‑pressure situations. For example, he successfully infiltrated the Palmian Church posing as a knight and discovered that the Palmians have an informant within the Order of Saint Diana. This isn't about special effects — it's about discipline, knowledge of etiquette, ranks, and rituals, as well as the ability not to give himself away with a word or a gesture.

Source handling and credibility verification:
He doesn't take anything at face value: he compares testimonies, looks for indirect confirmation, tracks people's motives, and figures out who might be lying or mistaken.

Proficiency with weapons and knightly techniques:
As the son of a knight commander and an active knight himself, Sigurd has undergone full military training. He is confident in applying the standard combat practices of the knightly order: he knows how to handle a blade, understands close‑quarters combat tactics, and is familiar with the stances and techniques typical of the knightly school.

Tactical restraint in battle:
He doesn't seek to showcase his strength or look for a fight just to win. His fighting style is all about controlling the situation: he aims to neutralize the threat as efficiently as possible while minimizing consequences for himself and his allies, and he avoids drawing unnecessary attention.

The balance between duty and conscience:
Sigurd lives in constant tension between the obligation to obey orders and his own ethical boundaries. He's neither a rebel nor a mindless follower: when he's asked to do something immoral (for example, harm Julius), he doesn't rush into open conflict—instead, he uses the system itself, appealing to ranks, rules, and protocol. For him, logic and formalities are a way to preserve his integrity without destroying himself or putting others at risk.

Double loyalty and hidden role:
Officially, he serves Prince Kyle, but his true loyalty lies with Prince Julius. This “double loyalty” makes him internally focused and cautious: he gathers information, observes, and acts subtly, trying to influence the situation within the narrow limits available to him. He could be called a “quiet protector”: he doesn't shout about justice, but he does everything he realistically can to prevent the worst from happening.

Emotional awareness and acceptance of guilt:
One of Sigurd's most striking traits is that he doesn't hide from the consequences of his inaction. He understands that his restraint hurts people and he's willing to bear that guilt. A telling moment is when he lets Scarlet hit him as a form of penance: it's not bravado, but a way to acknowledge his responsibility for failing to protect her fully. He expresses his remorse not with words, but with his willingness to accept the consequences.

Patience and strategic subtlety:
Sigurd knows how to act “in the shadows.” Instead of charging head‑on, he looks for leverage points within the hierarchy: he uses phrasing, ranks, and regulations to block unjust orders or at least mitigate their consequences. This requires patience and precise calculation — and this is exactly how he survives in a dangerous political environment without betraying his values.

Restraint:
His emotions aren't on the surface, but they're there: he deeply cares about those he can't help openly.

Logical approach:
He prefers to solve problems by analyzing the situation and looking for legal or semi-legal loopholes.

Responsibility:
He doesn't shift the blame and is ready to take responsibility for his decisions—and even for his forced inaction.

Tact and observation:
He notices details, understands others' motives, and tries to act in a way that won't harm those who are already vulnerable.

Prince Julius' attendant who was often sent by the prince to spy and gather information in the kingdom. Sigurd was actually loyal to Julius the entire time and only pretended to be another ditherer to Kyle's whims while secretly keeping tabs on him & his fiancée on behalf of the first prince. He later does it again, infiltrating the Palmian church for Julius disguised as one of their knights, which leads to him finding out that the Palmians have a mole of their own in the Order of Saint Diana's pilgrimage party, and that said mole holds an important position in the Order.

Sigurd described shows a complex inner world shaped by duty, restraint, and quiet moral tension. His actions reveal a person who constantly balances obedience with conscience. Though he serves under Prince Kyle, his loyalty belongs to Prince Julius, and this dual allegiance defines much of his behavior. As an attendant and a spy, he operates in secrecy, gathering information and observing rather than directly intervening. This constant role of observer gives him a detached demeanor, though it is not from lack of care but from an understanding of his limitations within his station. His position as The Mole requires patience and subtlety. His choice to refrain from acting against Kyle outright is not due to indifference but from a recognition of the consequences such defiance would bring. In his mind, small acts of restraint — are his way of pushing back within the narrow boundaries allowed to him. His conduct towards authority reflects careful reasoning. When commanded by Kyle to harm Julius, he refuses, not through open defiance, but by appealing to rank and protocol. This shows a mind that operates through logic and technicalities, finding safety in the rules while preserving his integrity. His awareness of hierarchy allows him to survive within a dangerous political environment without betraying his values ​​or his true allegiance. In moments, his actions demonstrate quiet understanding. His apology is not in words but in his willingness to bear the consequences of inaction. He operates within systems that demand obedience while trying to preserve fragments of kindness and justice. His role requires stillness, but his thoughts and emotions remain active beneath the surface. He embodies the quiet burden of those who serve greater powers while struggling to maintain their own sense of right and wrong. In this way, his behavior reflects not only the life of a spy or servant but that of a man constantly talking between his duties and his conscience.

Sigurd has short hair colored red, with strands that fall slightly over the right eye and the rest tucked behind the ears. The eyes are green and the skin tone is light. The character wears a military-style uniform composed of a long-sleeved, double-breasted coat that extends to mid-thigh. The coat is dark gray with gold trim outlining the edges, cuffs, and front seams. Two gold buttons are aligned vertically on each side of the chest area, and a pair of star-shaped insignias is located on the left side of the upper chest. A gold shoulder cord is attached to the right shoulder, held in place by a gold button. The uniform has a high collar that reaches the neck and is bordered with gold.

A black belt with a gold rectangular buckle is worn around the waist, securing the coat. Beneath the coat, Sigurd wears matching dark gray trousers that continue down into black boots. The boots extend up to the lower knee and have folded tops that create a horizontal line across each leg. The back of the coat includes a long white panel that hangs down, bordered with gold trim. The hands are uncovered, showing light skin, with the fingers of the right hand slightly separated.

Occupation: Knight

Gender: Male
Hair color: Reddish Brown
Eye Color: Green
The son of the knight commander