Son of an earl, he is raised in the palace alongside Sinda, believing she is the princess. Kiernan is full of life and laughter, and is often the one seeking ways to manufacture adventure. Kiernan is, in many ways, the typical spoiled son of a wealthy family but he also has a mind of his own. As he is growing up with Sinda, he grows to love her and his family hopes they will marry though it's not the normal alliance a princess would make. But once Sinda is revealed as a stand-in for the princess, Kiernan is at a loss on how to proceed. He doesn't want to like the new princess but finds himself drawn to her. Kiernan goes to visit Sinda and is hurt when she sends him away. However, his love for her is deep and when she is ready to make up, he has no qualms about renewing their friendship though he wants something more. When Sinda tells the real Nalia that Kiernan's family will never allow them to marry now that she's not a princess, Nalia says Kiernan isn't the kind of person to allow his parents to dictate who he will marry. Kiernan is an astute judge of character. When Sinda is set on seeking the princess, he urges her to give up the quest, pointing out the dangers. He also urges her to tell someone what she's discovered, but she refuses. Kiernan realizes that Sinda needs to feel important and that if she can't be a princess, she'll be the person who puts the rightful princess back on the throne.
