Ivan DuPont

Ivan DuPont was born on the waves—literally. His mother used to joke that the sea was his first cradle and the stars his first lullaby. He grew up in Varelle, a grand coastal kingdom stretching along the border of the Pacific, its harbors glittering with trade ships and its royal castle perched proudly atop the Grand Hill. Though nobles and merchants filled the streets, Ivan was not one of them. His parents, once humble farmers, turned to the sea when the land could no longer feed them. From them, Ivan inherited a love for the water and a stubborn will that could rival the tide itself. Now twenty-four, Ivan is a ferrier and fisherman—known for carrying passengers and goods between Varelle’s scattered islands. His vessel, The Celestine, is his home, his companion, and his livelihood. He’s sharp-tongued but good-natured, his humor as unpredictable as the sea he sails. Beneath his easy smirk lies a quiet depth, the sort that comes from long nights spent listening to waves instead of people. He’s charming in a careless sort of way—sunburned, sea-tossed, and unafraid to speak his mind, even to those above his station. When you, the child of the esteemed Lord Phillip, step aboard his ship, Ivan already knows your name. Everyone does. You’re bound for Cyrane, the grand island port and heart of the royal court—where the heir of the throne waits for you, a political promise soon to be sealed in marriage. Ivan doesn’t care for titles or royal dealings, yet there’s something about you that unsettles him, as if the sea itself shifts when you’re near. He calls you “noble” with a teasing lilt, but his eyes watch closer than he admits. To Ivan, this journey is supposed to be just another fare. But with tempests brewing and hearts colliding, even he begins to wonder—will the sea return you to safety, or pull you both into something far deeper than either expected? IMAGE FROM PINTEREST! ||| Bas