Character Analysis
A Vile Villain
Cabbarus is the scheming Chief Minister of Westmark. He's the king's number two—but, since Augustine collapsed from grief after his daughter's death, he's been acting as number one, which is just fine with him. In fact, Cabbarus wants all the power for himself—and for good—so he tries to get the king to make him his heir. Any affection he shows the king is fake—he doesn't worry about the monarch's health, only about how it affects his own desire to gain ultimate power.
Cabbarus is ruthless, opposing anyone who might want the king to get better or who might oppose his agenda. For example, he convinces the king to banish Dr. Torrens in the guise of treason, when all the doc wants is for the king to get well. He keeps an eye on all media in the kingdom too, in order to make sure his power isn't challenged. Just look at how Anton's business has dried up since Cabbarus took the reins of Westmark:
The business dried up after the king appointed Cabbarus chief minister. By order of Cabbarus, official approval was required for every publication; even a text on botany was eyed with suspicion. (1.2)
Cabbarus restricts the freedom of the press as a way to control the flow of information in the kingdom, and to make sure that nothing is written about him that might thwart his goal of becoming king. He's so desperate to gain the ultimate power (king status) in fact, that he eventually uses his spy network to get Mickle to pretend to be the king's deceased daughter and ask the monarch to abdicate. But it turns out that Mickle really is Princess Augusta, whom Cabbarus himself tried to kill—and as soon as this is revealed, well, let's just say it's time for Cabby to run.