Niceroslav

Niceroslav (born Cesareș Devango Rapafavaldane Răcini; 2 April 1832 - 25 April 1915) was a Caphirian military leader and statesman who reigned as Imperator of Caphiria for 27 years from 1887 until 1911. Niceroslav was born into the powerful Răcini Estate, which had dominated Caphirian politics since the formation of the Fourth Imperium in the late 18th century. Niceroslav is renowned for being one of the greatest Caphirian generals of the 20th century and is responsible for Caphiria's continental hegemony on Sarpedon after leading Caphiria to victory during the First Great War.

In his youth, Niceroslav was a talented chemist, with his work in the field of chemistry being recognized by many Caphirian and Sarpic chemists. However, his military and political victories as Imperator leave his legacy as one of Caphiria's most successful generals and greatest military genius of the 20th century.

Early life
Niceroslav was born Cesareș Devango Rapafavaldane Răcini on 2 April 1832 into the wealthy Răcini Estate. Niceroslav grew up under the thumb of his dominating grand-uncle, Imperator Arturpiulerix III, who largely excluded his parents from any role in bringing him up due to their estranged relationship. The marriage between Niceroslav's father Arturpiulerix Verantus and his wife Korada Fandresi disintegrated before he was born; rumors of Korada having a long-standing series of affairs with various Sarpic men with whom she could obtain more emotional and sexual satisfaction than she could with Arturpiulerix Verantus, who fiercely resented being cuckolded. As such, Arturpiulerix III deemed Korada unqualified to raise Niceroslav because of her affairs and immorality. It is rumored that Arturpiulerix III took Korada as his mistress, though it is uncertain if this was before, during, or after the birth of Niceroslav.

Additionally, the childless Arturpiulerix III, who had always wanted a son and needed an heir, treated Niceroslav as his surrogate son and thoroughly spoiled him, indulging his every whim. Arturpiulerix Verantus was a rather shy and weak man who was quickly overshadowed by the charismatic Korada, who became increasingly popular as Arturpiulerix III's concubine by the 1850s.

After finishing his elementary studies, Niceroslav spent his youth traveling the Imperium before enrolling at the Moncalieri Academy of Military Science. Although he was quite frail and not very tall, Niceroslav was reported to be the perfect soldier, healthy and disciplined, and also a very good politician with liberal ideas. Records from the school show that his conduct was very good, he had no errors, his natural talents were exceptional, and his fervency and diligence were constant, being very severe with himself but also with others. He was familiar with several Sarpic languages. During this period, he wrote to his mother that he would rather be a philosopher or scientist than a soldier. After graduating from the Moncalieri Academy, Arturpiulerix III had Niceroslav commissioned with the rank of Decurion in the Imperial Legion. He was deployed to Audonia several times. Despite his relative success in the military, in his letters, he wrote that he despised the life of a soldier because he had to obey officers whom he did not respect and that he dreamed about a free and active life that he could not find in the army.

Interest in chemistry
In 1852, on his father Arturpiulerix Verantus's death, Niceroslav was granted military leave from Arturpiulerix III and allowed to finish his military service with a course of study at Fortuna Institute. Niceroslav loved chemistry and joined Fortuna's chemistry program under professor Gherlavichio Cardiconi de Zabrăț. Writing to his mother, Niceroslav said "my transition from military service to higher education in the pursuit of knowledge has made me very happy. I am gaining life as never before. The science of chemistry itself, but also the leading of it by such a great professor as Cardiconi de Zabrăț, totally conquered me. How can I be shackled now, with the seduction of the universe's secrets taunting me?".

Niceroslav's work in chemistry from this period is worthy of note: he conducted research into coconut oil, discovering the presence in it of decanoic acid and lauric acid. He started his research in the spring of 1857 in Venceia but finished the experiments at home in Araetioris, sending the results to the Fortuna Institute by 1858. His method for the separation of the fatty acids homologs was not the traditional way of using fractional distillation, but instead using the solubility of barium salts.

His research can be summarized as follows: he detected the presence of lauric acid (C12) and decanoic acid (C10) in coconut oil; produced lauric ethyl ether; he determined some physical properties of the distillation of lauric acidic barium; and he discovered that, in coconut oil, the undecylic acid (C11) was a mixture of lauric and decanoic acids.

Just before Niceroslav started his study, a Burgoignac chemist named Marc Poincaré wrote an article in which he announced the discovery of decanoates. At first, Niceroslav was disappointed that with this announcement his own work would be pointless, but then he noticed that Poincaré was wrong in thinking that the undecylic acid was an original, undiscovered acid rather than a mixture of lauric and decanoic acids, which he demonstrated in his study.

By 1863, chemists and professors from around the world - including professors Cardiconi de Zabrăț and Poincaré - were eager to hire or work with Niceroslav but he was forced to abandon his academic pursuits by 1867 at the order of Arturpiulerix III. The Imperator announced upon Niceroslav's 35th birthday that he would be declared his adoptive son and heir presumptive. The title princeps juventatis and secundo civis were additionally conferred upon Niceroslav. His regnal name "Niceroslav" is derived from Niceroslavs, the wind god in Volonian mythology responsible for the four cardinal directions.

Early marriages
During his teenage years, Niceroslav acquired the "playboy" image to become his defining persona for the rest of his life. Arturpiulerix III expressed some concern at the direction that Niceroslav was taking, as the young prince's only serious interest was truffle collecting and he spent an inordinate amount of time drinking, partying, and chasing after women; young Niceroslav fathered at least two illegitimate children by his teenage sweetheart Talenina Tervarinus by the time that he was 19. Niceroslav rapidly become a favorite of gossip columnists around the world owing to the frequent photographs that appeared in the newspapers showing him at various parties with him holding a drink in one hand and a woman in the other.

He married three times: to socialite Adiana Turendan from 1860-1867, Marcellia Rybascalis from 1871-1879, and Liliana Veraxis in 1884.

His first marriage was to the beautiful Vivia Drustanus in 1860 when he was just 28. Adiana, from the prominent Turendan family, was initially seen as a strategic alliance to solidify his claim to the throne. The two shared a fiery relationship, filled with public disputes and equally passionate reconciliations. The marriage between Niceroslav and Adiana was the talk of Caphiria during its time. The couple was frequently featured on the front pages of newspapers. Their union bore two children, a son named Artorix and a daughter named Vivara. However, amidst rumors of infidelity on both sides, their marriage was annulled in 1867. Adiana met her downfall after her rumored affair with a known rebel leader, a scandal which threatened Niceroslav's position. Consequently, Adiana was exiled to the Escal Isles.

In 1871, seeking to stabilize his image and provide a mother for his children, Niceroslav wed Marcellia Rybascalis, a serene, well-educated woman known for her charitable works. The marriage was a stark contrast to his previous one, with Marcellia often acting as a calming influence on Niceroslav. She bore him another son, Cesareș II. However, the peaceful coexistence was shattered when Marcellia tragically died in a horse-riding accident in 1879. Rumors persisted that the accident was orchestrated, but no evidence was ever found. The death affected Niceroslav deeply, turning him briefly to a life of seclusion.

The most scandalous of his marriages was his final one in 1884 to the enchanting Liliana Veraxis, a renowned actress of the time. Despite the 20-year age difference, their love was undeniable. They were the talk of the continent – a powerful leader and a stunning actress, attending every glamorous event and often seen in the company of artists, musicians, and thinkers. Liliana introduced Niceroslav to the world of art and culture, and under her influence, he became a great patron of the arts. They shared no children, but their bond was unmistakable. Liliana would often play crucial diplomatic roles, charming foreign dignitaries and leaders