Hakim & Joelle Theron

Hakim and Joelle, characters in The Royal Romance series, are Ezekiel and Kiara's parents. They are also the Duke and Duchess of Castelsarreillan. They are first seen in Book 3, Chapter 7.

Appearances
Hakim has black hair, brown eyes and dark skin. He wears a blue suit over a white dress shirt, a red necktie and a pair of black glasses.

Joelle has long brown ombre hair, brown eyes and dark skin. She is wearing a red blouse.

Personalities
Hakim and Joelle don't want Cordonia to just remain stable and peaceful; they want the country to thrive.

They met in college and fell in love with each other's ideals. According to Landon, they are very proper when it comes to tradition. Elopement, annulment, and secret romances are all seen as improper to them.

According to Kiara, Joelle is the "power parent" in terms of influence over the other. If her children "win" her approval in their requests, Hakim will give in eventually.

Book 3

 * Chapter 7: Haute Culture
 * Chapter 8: Artistic License
 * Chapter 9: Pomp and Circumstance
 * Chapter 11: Cold Fire (Determinant)
 * Chapter 14: Welcome, One and All
 * Chapter 15: Light the Night
 * Chapter 17: Save the Date (Mentioned)
 * Chapter 18: Bride to Be (Mentioned; Determinant)
 * Chapter 19: You Are Cordially Invited
 * Chapter 20: A Warm Reception
 * Chapter 21: Taken
 * Chapter 22: Happily Ever After

Book 2

 * Chapter 4: The Royal Tour

Book 3

 * Chapter 2: Making Waves
 * Chapter 3: Forever Hold Your Peace
 * Chapter 5: Crossing the Finish Line
 * Chapter 6: The Princess and the Plea (Mentioned; Determinant)
 * Chapter 9: The Barthelemy Beaumont Bash (Determinant)
 * Chapter 10: A Fox in the Henhouse
 * Chapter 11: The Apparent Trap
 * Chapter 18: Crowning Glory

Book 2

 * Chapter 7: Girl's Night Out (Mentioned)

Book 3

 * Chapter 7: Haute Culture
 * Chapter 8: Artistic License
 * Chapter 9: Pomp and Circumstance
 * Chapter 18: Bride to Be (Mentioned; Determinant)
 * Chapter 19: You Are Cordially Invited
 * Chapter 20: A Warm Reception
 * Chapter 22: Happily Ever After

The Royal Holiday

 * Chapter 4: Holly Jolly (Mentioned)

Book 2

 * Chapter 4: The Royal Tour

Book 3

 * Chapter 2: Making Waves
 * Chapter 3: Forever Hold Your Peace
 * Chapter 4: Seeds of Conflict
 * Chapter 5: Crossing the Finish Line
 * Chapter 9: The Barthelemy Beaumont Bash
 * Chapter 11: The Apparent Trap
 * Chapter 18: Crowning Glory

Kiara
Kiara is their daughter. She follows in Hakim's diplomatic footsteps and desire to join the foreign ministry. If asked, Kiara admits that family discussions often involve negotiations. For example, it took about two weeks to decide on the color of their drapes. While it can be considered tedious, their method promotes everyone to air their opinions and also compromise. The one thing they do not compromise on is their love for one another.

In The Royal Heir, Book 3, it is noted that the Therons host the Flower Festival in Castelsarreillan as a way to build relations between nobles of neighboring kingdoms. Both Kiara and Ezekiel are judges while Joelle is a participant. When Joelle won a few years' best-in-shows, Lesedi argued it was due to nepotism.

Ezekiel
Ezekiel is their son. Although he tries his best, Ezekiel does not share the same passions or desires as his father and sister do. When Hakim wants him to analyze political deals and research summit proposals, Ezekiel is reluctant but does as he is asked. You can help him find his voice. At the end of Book 3, Ezekiel tells them that he would like to become a veterinarian, relinquishing his future position as Duke to his sister, Kiara. Even though Hakim finds animals dirty and the career beneath his son, Joelle tells him to be proud that Ezekiel has found something that he is passionate about. Joelle cannot criticize him for following his dreams when she does the same with her art.

In The Royal Heir, Book 3, when Penelope tells Ezekiel about her first marriage and annulment, Ezekiel tells her that he loves her and still wants to be with her. The news of Penelope's "scandal" upsets Hakim, but Joelle reasons with him. If Penelope is brave enough to speak up about her past, they should be able to handle the press and brave a little inconvenience of their own to let their son be happy.

Constantine
Hakim and Constantine are old friends. When Constantine was Crown Prince, he attended some classes at the same college where Hakim was studying to join the foreign ministry. They would debate policies and share a friendly drink. However, since Constantine's coronation, they usually only see each other at official functions. Constantine has never visited the family estate.

In The Royal Heir, Book 3, Hakim said he started the Auto Expo tradition with Constantine back in the day. Constantine loved the Expo almost as much as he loved the Regatta.

Lesedi
Lesedi is Joelle's rival in the Flower Festival.

Trivia

 * Hakim is one of Cordonia's most long established diplomats.
 * Joelle is an award-winning painter who used her art connections to solidify alliances for Cordonia.
 * She is from Loire, France.