Imperial Court
- Bidisa Rizuka "Rizu" fa Dalach is the Imperial Mistress of Wardrobe, a young courtier who Empress Berenene assigns to Sandry's entourage. Rizu has a short-lived romantic relationship with Daja but refuses to leave Dancruan and return to Emelan with her.
- Bidis Finlach "Fin" fer Hurich is a young courtier who pursues Sandry romantically, presumably on the Empress's orders. A miscommunication in which Sandry apparently abandons him at a ball provokes his temper, and he conspires with his uncle to kidnap Sandry and force her into marriage. When Sandry escapes her captivity, he is convicted of breaching the Empress's protection and is incarcerated.
- Ishabal Ladyhammer is a war-mage and the head of the Imperial mages. Because of her power and rank she is called "the Imperial will." She casts a curse on Tris and tries to keep the four mages from crossing the Namornese border. The battle leaves her magically drained.
- Empress Berenene dor Ocmore is the ruler of Namorn and Sandry's cousin through her mother, Amiliane fa Landreg. She invites Sandry to visit her court and tries to convince, then coerce, her to stay to keep her income from leaving the country. Briar shows interest in her because of her beauty, charm and amateur gardening, but never pursues a relationship, preferring to "worship her from afar."
- Saghad Jakuben "Jak" fer Pennun is a young courtier who pursues Sandry romantically, presumably on the Empress's orders. When he learns that Sandry is leaving Namorn he stops pursuing her romantically and they part on friendly terms. He mentions being raised by his mother to strongly oppose bride kidnapping after her childhood friend was kidnapped and committed suicide.
- Pershan "Shan" fer Roth is the Imperial Master of the Hunt and one of Empress Berenene's lovers. He pursues Sandry romantically in secret, hiding his intent of marrying her from the Empress for fear of her disapproval. Though his father is a Giath, Shan has no financial means of his own and depends on his employment for money. When Sandry refuses his proposal and leaves Dancruan, he conspires with Quenaill Shieldsman to kidnap her, but fails.
- Caidlene "Caidy" fa Sarajane is a young courtier who Empress Berenene assigns to Sandry's entourage. She and Briar flirt and kiss, although their casual relationship is often interrupted.
- Quenaill "Quen" Shieldsman is a war-mage and Ishabal Ladyhammer's second-in-command, providing Empress Berenene with magical protective shields. A former lover of the Empress, he was replaced in her attentions by Shan. When Shan intends to marry Sandry, Quen aids him with the hopes that once Shan falls out of imperial favor, he will take his place again.
Read more about this topic: List Of Minor The Will Of The Empress Characters, Characters, Minor Characters
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