Csethiro Ceredin

Csethiro Ceredin is the daughter of the Marquess Ceredel, great-niece of Arbelan Drazharan, and fiance of Maia Drazhar and thus the future Ethuverazhid Zhasan.

Appearance
At the betrothal announcement, Csethiro “was austere and immaculate in pale green watered silk; cloisonné beads, crimson and gold, were wound through her hair and hanging from her ears. The contrast made the vivid blue of her eyes—the same brilliant color as Arbelan Drazharan’s—stand out like a shout of defiance in her white, well-bred, characterless face.” Her face was narrow, and she had a deep voice.

At the party where she confronted Maia about Nedaö Vechin, Csethiro wore a dress of "bronze and red-purple".

During the Winternight celebration, she dressed her hair “with black lacquer combs and strands of emeralds to pick up the subtle green embroidery on her gray gown.”

She was "not at all pretty, her nose too long and her chin too weak, but her eyes were sharp and full of light, and even of kindness." Her voice was deep for a woman's. She was 22 years old during The Goblin Emperor.

Her iron oath ring for marriage went on her thumb.

Personality
Csethiro is forthright, confrontational, and brave. She is also scholarly, curious, and thoughtful, and enjoys talking to people, and can be quite compassionate. She is funny and clever, and a patient teacher.

Life
Csethiro was named after Csoru Drazharan's mother, and has four sisters, with a future step-sibling via her stepmother.

Ceredel and his heart-brother Count Celehel wanted their daughters to be heart-sisters, and so insisted they spend time together. Upon meeting each other, Csethiro lasted only 10 minutes before hitting Csoru.

After Csoru became engaged to Varenechibel IV, Ceredel insisted Csethiro reconcile with the future empress.

Csethiro was picked along with Loran Duchenin and Paru Tethimin as the three most eligible options at the Untheileneise Court for Maia's future empress, being the closest in age to him, not a family member, and with potential good political ramifications of the marriage. Maia disliked Loran, in part because of her being the niece of Uleris Chavar, whom he also disliked, and Paru was too young, and related to Eshevis Tethimar, whom Maia disliked. In the end, the Corazhas agreed to Csethiro, and the betrothal was arranged.

Maia sent a note to Csethiro after it was decided, wishing that things would be good between them, and received a short and brusque reply. Csethiro was the same in person at their first meeting to officially announce the betrothal, and at the signing of their marriage contract. Csethiro wrote Arbelan a dutiful letter afterward to spite her father.

Nurevis Chavar invited Csethiro to a number of his parties, particularly when Maia attended, though Maia often avoided her, as she "was cold and formal and possibly angry as well." It was at one of these gatherings where Maia again spoke with Nedaö, who often chatted with him at these gatherings, that Csethiro confronted Maia, telling him that Nedaö was using him. Maia replied that of course she was, surprising Csethiro. Maia then bitterly thanked Csethiro for believing Maia so stupid as to not realize. Csethiro apologized, but persisted in asking why Maia let Nedaö do it. Not knowing how to respond, Maia explained that Nedaö was beautiful. Csethiro said that Nedaö made sure not to frighten Maia, and Csethiro must learn from this, and that she did not wish for Maia to be frightened of her.

When Maia was kidnapped by Sheveän Drazharan and Uleris as part of an attempted coup, and later returned safely to the Alcethmeret, Csethiro sent Maia a message wishing his health, and saying that she would gladly duel Sheveän for him, and offered her services to him in any capacity he wished.

During the celebration for Maia's 19th birthday and Winternight, Csethiro and Maia spoke again, where Csethiro noted that they'd been misled "by gossip from a source" she would not trust again, in regard to Maia's character, and apologized many times. Csethiro talked to him about her family, and asked about Maia's life. Maia had to leave to meet with Aro Danivaran, and when he explained as much, she encouraged him to go.

During the Winternight Ball, Csethiro spoke with Maia again, talking to him about celebrations of her past.

After Eshevis Tethimar's attempted assassination of Maia, and Maia was again returned safely to the Alcethmeret, Csethiro was briefly let in to check on him, carrying her sword, and promised that she would have killed Eshevis herself if he were not already dead.

Csethiro and Maia later began dancing lessons together, to prepare for their wedding. At one point, they moved to a first name basis.

Skills
She is scholarly and has considerable skill with a sword. She has a polished, scholarly hand. She writes in the barzhad warrior alphabet, and sometimes signed her name like "the cavaliers of Edrevenivar the Conqueror".

Arbelan Drazharan
Csethiro started writing to Arbelan after becoming engaged with Maia.

Marquess Ceredel
Csethiro has some ire against her father for forcing her to interact with Csoru and a number of other things.

Csethiro's stepmother
Csethiro does not appear to get along with her stepmother.

Csoru Drazharan
Csethiro cannot stand Csoru.

Loran Duchenin
Loran avoids Csethiro out of ire for losing out to Csethiro in her bid to become Maia's empress.

Maia Drazhar
Although Csethiro and Maia had a rocky start to their relationship, Csethiro is growingly supportive of Maia, and cares for him. Maia enjoys her company, and wants to be close to her.

Vedero Drazhin
Csethiro is a member of Vedero's circle of scholars and one of Vedero's close friends.

Quotations

 * “You must learn to take care, Serenity, lest we wear your ears out with our endless talking.”

Trivia

 * Csethiro is three years older than Maia.