When our story begins, Sérisse’s family is known by the surname of Archambeau. This is a name she chose after they left France for the Mississippi Gulf Coast in the late 1700’s.
In June of 1790, the National Assembly abolished hereditary nobility, titles, coats of arms, and all other related distinctions. Noble surnames became dangerous during the French Revolution. These names and titles were obvious reminders of the Ancien Régime.
Kethri are the unseen forces responsible for the revolution taking the dark and bloody turn into the Terrors. They whispered in the ears of mortals, encouraged them to turn the revolution into a bloodbath.
However, the Kethri were able to accomplish this because mortals had been abused and bled dry by the mortal monarchy for centuries. The Sauvains had also become complacent and disillusioned, having been constantly kept underfoot by angels.
Sauvains and Angels are lateral in their ranking and power. However, both have completely different duties assigned to them by the Most High.
Angels do exactly what we know them to do; protect mortals, guide them, nurture the light side of their nature.
Sauvains work in shadow; they also protect mortals but help them to keep their shadow side in check.
Shadow and Light cannot exist without each other, and must be kept in balance. Otherwise, the world will burn and then fall into darkness.
Kethri relish in the extreme volatility of the light and the unforgiving tempest of the darkness. When mortals are out of balance, especially if their shadow side isn’t kept in check, they are easily swayed by Kethri.
For centuries, Kethri have been trying to eradicate both Sauvains and Angels. In my universe, there are no such things as Archangels in regard to the celestial beings that serve God, the Most High. An Archangel is a title made up by Kethri who pose as benevolent creatures. They are very charming, very convincing, very good at what they do.
Sérisse’s decision to change the family surname from d’Argelonne to Archambeau was not simply for safety. It was an act of defiance and a middle finger to the entire Kethri kingdom.
House d’Argelonne is the last surviving French Gorgon royal family. Therefore, Sérisse refused to have the political mechanics of the French Revolution dilute the family name. d’Argelonne would have simply become “Argelonne,” as the d’ would be considered too “Ancien Régime.”
Her parents, her twin brother and his wife, her kingdom, and people were cut down by Kethri, and she would rather be burned alive a thousand times over rather than allow the name of d’Argelonne to be stripped of its meaning, It had nothing to do with being a royal, but everything to do with heritage and her family,
So Sérisse changed the name to something completely different, effectively cutting the Kethri off at the pass and beating them at their own game.
Would you have expected anything less from our cuddly asshole of a monarch?