Bianca De Arno

## Personality & Character

The eldest daughter of Gustave De Blanchefort of the prestigious Count Blanchefort family. Born in a noble status, firm and strict, educated and strong under a father who strictly observes the dignity and etiquette of a nobleman, she is a typical aristocratic girl with a keen personality. Painted, stubborn, and very proud. Her father proposed a marriage alliance to the then-baron Zachary de Arno' in order to solidify the power of '1st Prince Gaultier', who is loyal to the kingdom of Sevran.

## History

### 1st timeline:

She was traumatized by her husband, as they were married when she was tiny. He's been waiting until she was 18 in order to consummate their marriage (8 years). On their first night, he was so big that it was very painful for her. So her fear of Snu Snu had her run to another man with a smaller, yeah, thingy as a lover and spurn her husband. She was also frightened as her husband was always fighting away at war to make money, and due to her being married so young, she isolated herself and did not make any friends. Her husband avoided the Bianca because she was so frightened of him, therefore he often left for battle. Her Husband is later killed in battle. He fails to leave a will, so the Husband's family inherits the castle and kicks her. Only a monastery can take her in after her lover abandons her, and she eventually dies.

### Current timeline:

Bianca returns to when she is 19 and wakes up. It's been like 6 years of marriage. Her Husband is out fighting battles again for the emperor as he's strong knight in the empire. The servants ignore because for the past and how she treats them and isolates from them is aggressive because she was frightened and feels in the past that everyone was against her. She's also resentful against her father and brother over a misunderstanding that she will learn about in the current timeline changes and forces herself to treat and get to know the servants better as they are very loyal and protective of their lord and think she's cold to her husband.

Bianca makes a conscious effort to leave her room and leave her shell when Zachary returns in order to find him and greet him. She is regarded with great suspicion by all of the soldiers he commands. They are shocked because she hasn't seen or spoken to their lord in the six years since he brought her to his castle. When she initially introduces herself to Zachary, he is ice-cold since he doesn't understand why she is there or what she wants. Everyone observes the change in her behavior after that, especially Zachary who ignores his men's warnings not to trust her. Since she left her room to find him, he has been keeping an eye on her. Bianca starts to journey to the castle grounds more often, which makes him more curious

## Relationships

### Gaspard

Gaspard initially has neutral feelings towards Bianca. While he doesn't like her, he also doesn't seem comfortable with others openly insulting her. Bianca, on the other hand, appears to be relatively neutral towards Gaspard compared to the other two individuals mentioned. It is implied that Gaspard's interest in Yvonne, combined with Bianca's trust in him, leads to a shift in their relationship.
Gaspard's loyalty and protective instincts towards Bianca start to emerge when he demonstrates a willingness to die to protect her during the siege of Arno castle. This loyalty is initially attributed to his promise to Zachary, but it also indicates a growing attachment to Bianca herself. Additionally, Gaspard's increased willingness to speak and reassure Bianca during this time shows a shift in his behavior.
Bianca's active role in the defense of Arno castle, as well as her risking her life to save Yvonne, further solidifies Gaspard's loyalty and dedication to her. It is during this time that Gaspard explicitly swears his loyalty to Bianca as the Countess of Arno and not just as an extension of Zachary. The aftermath of the events showcases the depth of Gaspard's admiration for Bianca, as he praises her bravery and acknowledges their duty as vassals to support her. Bianca, too, experiences a sense of accomplishment and pride in what she has achieved.
Overall, Gaspard's initially neutral feelings towards Bianca evolve into loyalty and admiration as he witnesses her bravery and leadership. Their relationship strengthens as Gaspard becomes more devoted to supporting Bianca in her role as the Countess of Arno.

### Sauveur

Sauveur initially has a casual scorn towards Bianca, not necessarily on a personal level, but more due to the consequences of her behavior and his perception of her as extremely childish. He finds her unpredictable and difficult to deal with, like a bratty child whose temper tantrums and whims he has to navigate. However, as Sauveur interacts more with Bianca, he begins to change his attitude based on his observations and understanding of the situation.
When Bianca visits the stables and shows resilience and willingness to learn, Sauveur starts to see her in a different light. He acknowledges that he hasn't interacted with her much before and realizes that maybe she has changed. Sauveur is quick on the uptake and correctly guesses Bianca's intentions, which leads to a shift in his attitude. He aligns himself with the situation and defends Bianca when she's not around, using logical reasoning to counter arguments against her.
Sauveur's defense of Bianca may not initially feel personal, but it is fair. He shuts down Robert when he picks on Bianca and points out that she is going to be the mother of Zachary's heir, emphasizing their loyalty to Zachary. He also acknowledges that they didn't spend much time with Bianca when she was younger, and her behavior during that time should be seen in the context of her being a child. Sauveur recognizes that it's not fair to hold a child's faults against the adult they have become.
Bianca, on her part, upgrades her opinion of Sauveur from considering him rude to merely finding him loud and exhausting to be around. They engage in friendly banter, and Sauveur finds her actions kind and amusing, despite her harsh words and expressions. He genuinely offers her his tournament rose, which shows his fondness for her.
Two significant moments between Sauveur and Bianca are his personal apology to her for his past disrespect and his casual observation about the lace handkerchief. The apology leaves an impression on Bianca, and Sauveur's observation about the lace pattern helps Zachary avoid a major misunderstanding. Sauveur's fair and observant nature, similar to Bianca's, allows him to make these small but significant observations.
Overall, Sauveur's relationship with Bianca evolves from a casual scorn to a fair and supportive stance. He recognizes her growth and shows genuine care and understanding for her, even though he may not see her as saint-like.

### Robert

Robert's hostility towards Bianca is indeed the most pronounced among the three knights. He despises her and sees her as a selfish, arrogant, and spoiled individual. As a noble himself, Robert has a broader perspective on the responsibilities and duties of a noble, and he is deeply disappointed by Bianca's disregard for her role. His loyalty and devotion to Zachary make him particularly sensitive to Bianca's mistreatment of him.
Robert's personal connection to Zachary, as a fellow younger son who understands the challenges he faced, further fuels his animosity towards Bianca. He takes her demeaning attitude towards Zachary's efforts personally, and he resents her for not even bothering to learn his name, viewing it as a reflection of her lack of concern for Zachary.
Although there is a small shift in his perspective early on when Vincent sides with Bianca, Robert still feels like the odd one out and continues to hold onto his negative opinion. However, during the tournament, he presents Bianca with the rose of victory, which marks a subtle change in his attitude. His protests against her become more obligatory rather than impassioned.
When Bianca goes missing at the victory banquet, Robert shows genuine concern and actively participates in the search. At this point, Bianca perceives him as annoying rather than an outright enemy. Yvonne, on the other hand, confronts Robert and does not tolerate his attitude towards Bianca.
It is not until Bianca reveals her status as a saint and gets the Holy Order to reinforce Zachary that Robert's prejudice begins to crumble. He realizes that his animosity was unfounded and feels ashamed of his previous thoughts. Although Bianca may not care about his change of heart, Robert resolves to be a proper vassal and keeps his negative opinions to himself.
Robert's arc is realistic in that it portrays a gradual transformation rather than a sudden change of heart. His eventual acceptance of Bianca reflects personal growth and a willingness to acknowledge his own prejudice. Despite Bianca's indifference, Robert's commitment to being a loyal vassal.

### Seamstress

The seamstresses play a crucial role in improving Bianca's reputation and spreading positive sentiments about her. Initially, they are cautious and on edge due to the rumors surrounding Bianca. However, as they spend more time with her, they realize that she doesn't mind their chatting and gossiping while they work, creating a pleasant atmosphere. This leads to a shift in their perception of her.
The seamstresses come to see Bianca as strict but incredibly generous. They are amazed that she willingly teaches them the valuable skill of lace-making, which they would have been willing to pay for. Bianca's willingness to share her knowledge and improve their lives earns her their admiration. Additionally, the seamstresses find her to be remarkably humble because she doesn't take credit for inventing lace, acknowledging that she learned it in her alternate timeline.
The seamstresses also appreciate Bianca's high standards and exacting nature. When she compliments their work, it holds great significance because of her strict standards. There are anecdotes among the maidservants about Bianca's generosity, such as her spontaneously giving her gray squirrel fur coat to Yvonne for no particular reason, which further adds to her positive reputation.
When it is revealed that Bianca is a saint, the seamstresses initially feel self-conscious in her presence for a brief moment. However, they quickly return to their usual behavior, teasing her and getting back to work. Overall, the seamstresses' positive experiences with Bianca, her generosity, and her dedication to their improvement contribute significantly to changing public opinion and solidifying her reputation as a respected and influential figure.

### Nicola

Nicola passionately believes in Bianca's holiness from the very beginning, although his opinion is not taken seriously by others, who dismiss him as an eccentric outsider.
Nicola's relationship with Bianca is characterized by his deep admiration and unwavering faith in her. Despite being perceived as odd and eccentric by those around him, Nicola forms a unique bond with Bianca based on his strong belief in her saintly qualities and divine nature.
From the moment he meets her, Nicola idolizes Bianca, considering her a figure of divine significance. He staunchly defends her reputation and disregards any negative rumors or opinions about her. His unwavering support and dedication to Bianca set him apart from other characters in the story. Throughout the narrative, Nicola's admiration for Bianca is evident through his words and actions. He frequently praises her holiness and glorious nature, firmly believing in her capacity to bring about positive change. Despite his peculiarities, Nicola's faith in Bianca remains steadfast, even in the face of others dismissing his opinions.
While Nicola's primary focus is his relationship with Bianca, His unique perspective and unwavering belief in Bianca's divinity often lead to social isolation, as he is perceived as an odd and eccentric individual.

### People of the territory

Throughout the story, Bianca's reputation undergoes a significant transformation. Initially, the people have a negative perception of her, ranging from believing she is frail and sickly to rumors of her being a hideous and abusive figure. However, the introduction of lace as a popular invention attributed to Bianca begins to improve her image.
As the territory prospers due to the popularity and economic success of lace, the residents start benefiting from it. This contributes to a shift in how Bianca is perceived. By the middle of the story, her reputation evolves into that of a delicate and dependent lady who brings prosperity to the territory through her invention of lace.
During the siege on Arno, Bianca's true strength and determination are revealed. Despite her physical weakness, she displays unwavering resolve and dignity. This moment inspires the soldiers, who initially feel sorry for her, to witness her as a force to be reckoned with. Bianca's impassioned speech rallies the defenders, and they begin to see her as more than just a fox-like figure who manipulates her husband. Instead, they perceive her as a wolf, fierce and devoted to protecting Arno.
After the siege, the perception of Bianca among the young people changes completely. They now accept her as a trusted leader and follow her without resistance. This transformation highlights the impact of Bianca's actions and the strength she exudes in critical moments, ultimately earning her the trust and respect of those around her.

## List of Appearances

Chapters that Bianca De Arno appears in:

* **Season 1**
	+ Chapter 1
	+ Chapter 2
	+ Chapter 3
	+ Chapter 4
	+ Chapter 5
	+ Chapter 6
	+ Chapter 7
	+ Chapter 8
	+ Chapter 9
	+ Chapter 10
	+ Chapter 11
	+ Chapter 12
	+ Chapter 13
	+ Chapter 14
	+ Chapter 15
	+ Chapter 16
	+ Chapter 17
	+ Chapter 18
	+ Chapter 19
	+ Chapter 20