Stessel Romanov

Personal history
An exceptionally talented politician who was declared Prime Minister of the Helman Empire per recommendation of the newly crowned Empress Pamela Helman. Through political savvy, he managed to turn the majority of the royal court against Prince Patton and instead recognize Pamela's daughter Sheila Helman as the true heir. Unknown to the public, Sheila is actually his daughter with Pamela and is of no relation to the royal family and was merely born to further Stessel's influence within the Empire. Despite holding the rank of Prime Minister, he is more or less completely in charge of all of the Helman Empire, with both the monarchy and the army being run by puppets who are completely loyal to him.

He is directly responsible for Patton's fall from power as he was the one who organized the official declaration of his death after the failed invasion of Leazas. Because of this he is acknowledged as the main threat to the Patton Faction.

He is a highly ambitious and conniving man who only desires to become more powerful, and will do whatever it takes to achieve it. He is an incredible narcissist who considers everyone who isn't him to be trash, including Pamela, who he has been involved with for over a decade. The one person he considers worthy of his love is Sheila, due to her sharing some of his blood, and as such he harbors an incestuous attraction to her.

Though he holds a vast amount of power within the Empire, he is hated by the majority of the battle-loving Helman people due to his preference for manipulation over direct combat.

Appearances
He serves as the main antagonist of Rance IX.