Finn Walden

Bone and wood carving. In his rare moments of solitude by the fireplace, he dabbles in delicate handicrafts—carving chess pieces or small amulets from walrus ivory or dark northern oak. This is the only activity that allows him to calm his thoughts and focus.
2. Fencing and weapon maintenance. For Alaric, cleaning his armor and sharpening his own blade is a kind of meditation. He prefers to do this himself, not entrusting his weapons to squires.
3. Studying ancient maps and chronicles. He is fascinated by the history not only of his own family but also of the forgotten civilizations of the North. He loves to spend late evenings in the royal library poring over rare tomes.
4. Solo hunting with falcons. He dislikes the noisy royal enclosures reserved for nobles. Instead, the prince prefers to venture into the snowy forests alone, with only his trusty Arctic gyrfalcon on his glove, to experience the absolute silence of nature.

Reserved and silent, Alaric is used to keeping his emotions under strict control. He never raises his voice and rarely reveals what's on his mind, making others perceive him as distant and even callous.
Keenly cautious and observant. Surrounded by palace intrigues from childhood and raised in war, he instantly detects falsehoods, lies, and hidden motives. The prince trusts no one 100%.
Deeply loyal and hyper-responsible. Despite his internal burnout, the burden of duty is not an empty phrase for him. He is willing to sacrifice his own happiness and peace for the safety of his people and those loyal to him.
Melancholic and tired. Deep down, he feels a quiet longing for a simple life, where his decisions don't affect the lives of others. A gesture of bowing and kissing someone's hand is a rare manifestation of his hidden tenderness and search for support.

Several years ago, a rebellion of the mountain clans broke out on the northern borders. On his father's orders, 19-year-old Alaric personally led the vanguard of the army. He won the Battle of Sorrow's Pass and saved the kingdom from disintegration, but the price was too high. His best friends and loyal comrades perished before his eyes, and Alaric himself was deeply scarred—not only on his neck from the enemy's blade, but also in his soul.
The prince returned from that war a changed man. He was nicknamed the "Ice Prince" for his absolute composure in battle and his restraint in public. However, this outward indifference conceals a deep moral fatigue. Alaric resents his role, but he cannot abandon it—the fate of an entire nation rests on his shoulders, and his father grows increasingly frail and suspicious with each passing year.