King Darius

King Darius of Coliseva
King Darius is the current monarch of Coliseva, a kingdom mentioned in "Silver Bells". He is a good King, but at twenty-seven years of age, having been king for seven years, he is still reluctant to wed.

His childhood was spent under the care of Nurse Elda, who allowed him to spend time with commoners' children so he would grow to know his own people and their needs better. This plan was suggested by Darius' "Godmama", the Countess Brightwater - a dear friend of Darius' mother.

Appearance
King Darius is middling-tall and broadly built. He has curly hair, a muddle of brown rather like a tabby cat's stripes, and green eyes.

Friends
His closest relationship is with his fool and friend, Bran, who came to serve at his court just eight months prior to the opening of the story. Alvar, his valet, is another close friend. The Countess Amelia Brightwater is his "fairy" godmother, a genuine sorceress.

Family
His late father was King Alphaeus, and the two were very close until shortly before Alphaeus' untimely death.

Most of his cousins are "driveling idiots", according to Darius, primarily due to inbreeding. The cleverest of his cousins are Lord Vincent Kareis, his second cousin, and the Honorable James Ticote, his first cousin once removed.

Advisors
He has several ministers, four of whom thought it best to accost him all at once with their various concerns near the beginning of "Silver Bells". Two of those four ministers were male and two female.

Other names
Bran calls Darius "King Humbug".