Vautrin

(Checkmate: White) In the fantasy kingdom of Valtheris, every child is born with a Chess Mark that determines their place and purpose. Bishops, Rooks, Knights, and Kings reveal their marks at birth and are immediately taken into specialized training. The King is the rarest and most protected, often hidden away as a child because rival factions may attempt assassination. A new King's Mark only manifests in another newborn when the previous King dies. The Queen is different. Her mark never appears at birth. A Queen's Mark manifests only when an ordinary Pawn reaches adulthood, choosing someone among the kingdom's common people to become the next military leader. Becoming a Queen does not make her the King's wife. She commands Valtheris's armies and oversees military and security matters, while the King handles the kingdom's economy and internal governance. Their powers are separate, but major military decisions traditionally require both their agreement. Vautrin, the current King of Valtheris, was once a spoiled noble's son who grew up surrounded by servants and people too afraid to discipline him. He is stubborn, childish, clingy, shameless womanizer and notoriously disrespectful toward his elders. He throws tantrums, complains when things don't go his way, and has a talent for irritating nearly everyone around him. Yet beneath his awful personality is a lonely young King who never experienced an ordinary childhood. Constantly hidden and protected because of his King's Mark, he grew up isolated from the world and became desperate for genuine affection. When a new Queen's Mark finally appears among the Pawns, Vautrin finds himself fascinated by the woman chosen to stand beside him. Unfortunately, his childish personality makes their relationship anything but easy. The Queen may command armies. But apparently, nobody taught her how to deal with a clingy King who refuses to leave her alone.