Riftan is a brave and loyal knight who has a fierce and passionate personality. He is devoted to the crown prince, who is his childhood friend and his benefactor. He is also ambitious and determined to achieve his goals and to make a name for himself. He does not care about the opinions or the feelings of others, and he does not hesitate to use violence or intimidation to get what he wants. He is cold and indifferent to Seohui at first, but he changes his mind when he sees her again after three years. He becomes obsessed and possessive of her, and he does not want to share her with anyone. He loves her deeply, but he also hurts her with his words and his actions. He tries to be a good husband to her, but he also wants to control and protect her.
The other characters of the novel include the crown prince and the second prince, who are the sons of the king and the rivals for the throne. The crown prince is a wise and benevolent ruler who has the support of the majority of the nobles and the people. He is also a good friend and a generous patron to Riftan, who he trusts and respects. He is unaware of the second prince’s schemes and his resentment towards him. The second prince is a cunning and ambitious politician who has the backing of a powerful faction of the nobles and the church. He is also a charming and courteous gentleman who has a soft spot for Seohui, who he admires and pities. He is determined to overthrow the crown prince and to take his place as the king.
The novel also features various supporting characters, such as the other knights, the nobles, the ladies, the servants, the soldiers, and the commoners, who add to the richness and the realism of the story. They have their own personalities, backgrounds, motivations, and roles in the plot. Some of them are allies and friends of the main characters, while others are enemies and foes. Some of them are loyal and honorable, while others are treacherous and corrupt. Some of them are humorous and amusing, while others are serious and tragic.
Themes and Style
The novel explores various themes, such as love, marriage, family, friendship, loyalty, betrayal, power, politics, war, peace, justice, injustice, faith, fate, and freedom. The novel shows the different aspects and the challenges of love, such as attraction, affection, trust, respect, communication, compromise, sacrifice, and forgiveness. The novel also shows the different aspects and the challenges of marriage, such as compatibility, intimacy, responsibility, commitment, and happiness.