Tess von Hildendorf

Contessa "Tess" von Hildendorf is Widdle Frunkut's second ex-wife and a recurring character in the Waldoverse.

Physical Description: Tess von Hildendorf is a gentoo penguin with the typical black and white coloration of her species. However, she stands out due to her large, expressive eyes that can shift from cold and calculating to deceptively warm when she needs something. As a quarter magpie, she possesses a certain allure and sharpness inherited from her mother. Her appearance is always polished, reflecting her wealth and status, with an air of sophistication that is as imposing as it is elegant.

Background:
Tess hails from the prestigious von Hildendorf dynasty, a wealthy and influential family based in the northeast mountains of Waldonia, above the town of Yokelstedt. The von Hildendorf family castle, nestled in the rugged terrain, is a symbol of their power and long-standing influence. Tess' father, Count Rigel Archibald von Hildendorf, is a gentoo penguin known for his hyperfrugal and miserly ways, despite being the head of a centuries-old wealthy dynasty. Her mother, Lady Magdalena Celestina von Hildendorf, is half gentoo, half magpie. She abandoned the family when Tess was just a chick, leaving a lasting impact on Tess' upbringing and character.

Despite her noble roots, Tess moved to the more fashionable Waverly Hills district of Wallywood, Widdlington, where she owns a high-end boutique on Waldeo Drive, catering to the elite of Waldonia and further cementing her status as a wealthy and influential figure.

Personality:
Tess is the epitome of a gold digger, drawn to power and wealth above all else. She is often extremely rude and condescending to those she considers beneath her, which includes nearly everyone, even Master Devlin, despite his noble lineage. Her interactions are marked by an icy disdain, and she rarely hesitates to treat others like dirt if it serves her purposes. Despite this, Tess is also highly pragmatic. In times of crisis, she is willing to ally herself with those she normally scorns, recognizing the value of cooperation when it benefits her.

Relationship with Waldo:
Tess was once Kaiserin, the wife of Emperor Waldo VII, during a previous alternate future timeline. Their relationship was tumultuous and strained from the start. Waldo, aware of her true nature, did his best to avoid her even while they were married, a task made difficult by Tess' relentless pursuit of wealth and status. Their marriage was more of a transactional arrangement than a union based on affection, with Tess seeing Waldo as a means to an end. After the timeline was shifted and their marriage was undone, Tess still remembers being Empress and harbors a deep bitterness about having her role and power taken from her. She continues to regard Waldo with a mix of resentment and ambition, always seeking ways to regain her lost status.

Current Status:
Now residing in Waverly Hills, Tess continues to maintain her elite status, using her boutique as both a business venture and a social hub where she can keep tabs on the powerful and influential. Her life revolves around maintaining and expanding her wealth and influence, always on the lookout for new opportunities to climb the social ladder, no matter who she has to step on to get there. Despite her many flaws, Tess remains a formidable figure in Waldonia, respected—or at least feared—for her cunning and ruthlessness. Her memories of being Kaiserin drive her relentless ambition, and she is constantly scheming to restore herself to a position of power within the Empire.