Bertrand was raised to one day be king, and to that end, was given all the training he would hopefully need to fulfill his duties. He is clever, and a shrewd problem solver. He tends to think things through deeply, trying to consider every side and possible argument, and ultimately will always try to do what is best for the majority of people. He is, however, not a good negotiator, and often flies off the handle when someone disagrees with something he deeply believes in. He has a hot temper, and it burns bright and all-consuming, though his anger is very seldom violent.

He grew up in the lap of luxury, and has become accustomed to getting whatever he wanted. He doesn’t like to wait for the things he wants (or feels he deserves), and being forced to wait can be very annoying to him. His father says he is spoiled, and he wouldn’t be wrong. Bertrand has never known anything but the absolute best life a young man could have, and having someone deny him something can feel like a slap in the face.

He is, however, kind at his core. He has a heart that seems to have been made for helping others, and often extends a hand to those around him who may need one. He is generous to his friends and family, and even more generous in secret. After all, he has more than he could ever need, why not give it to those who need it more? To that end, he is a bit of an idealist, like many of his forefathers who held the throne. He is, also, a bit mischievous with his giving; often times he personally gives to causes that may undermine his father’s proceedings, if he doesn’t fully believe in them.

Bertrand- though often poised in the persona of a future king who does not play favorites, and who has to think of everyone- is a very soft and caring young man. He can be fiercely protective, and has been known to cry over even small tragedies. His father says his heart is too tender to rule, his mother thinks that may be just what his people need.

Bertrand’s father reluctantly took the throne a little over twenty years ago. Having been the third son of the former king, he was never expected to rule; however, a sudden illness struck his elder brother just as the next eldest had an accident on the road, and that left Merle as the only living heir to an aging and grief struck king. It didn’t take long before he passed, Merle was married, and his first child was born.

Bertrand’s first few years were a whirlwind. He was born, and his first sibling was born shortly afterwards. He was promised in marriage before he could eloquently speak, but was enchanted by the girl once they finally met. It was an instant friendship, as there weren’t many children in the world either of them could so freely be themselves with. They grew up together, visiting one another, sneaking away from their mothers and the guards. The three of them: the prince, the princess, and their friend, who’s role Bertrand never fully understood, but who’s presence he never minded.

When his friends weren’t visiting, his life seemed to be an endless cycle of learning. Learning to ride a horse (he still would rather ride in the litter), to hold a sword. Learning forign policy and proper manners and how to address dignitaries. His younger siblings had to learn, too (though Ainara didn’t have to learn any swordsmanship, and she gets to ride in the litter), but none had as much pressure on them as Bertrand.

He was sad when his betrothed’s mother passed, and his dearest friends visits stopped. He began to more fully understand marriage, what it entailed and the expectations that would be upon them, in the years after. He has recently become nervous at the thought of seeing her again. He isn’t sure he can see her as anything but a friend, but ultimately just hopes she will still like him. A part of him hopes to see Callum again, too, and hopes to rekindle the bonds they were just starting to build years ago.