I see him as a ruler -- very much as Andronicus or as Vetinary in Discworld. But that said, I also see him as having mixed feelings about it.
Ruthless? I'm less convinced he's not...though he's still young and squeamish. But he was able to grit his teeth and steel Agatha's voice, trick Anveka and then turn her off, juggle with Lu, plan something with the broadcast beacon, betray Agatha even if it was to rescue her ultimately...
He's got a tough core. He's a bit like a hobbit: there's a core of wiry, resolute strength that allows him to go through with things he clearly does not like if they have to be done.
What we still don't know in full context is what his ultimate motivating concerns are. If he's ultimately most dedicated to saving Europa from itself, he could choose to promote Gil, Agatha, himself, or a complete random new character, based on whomever he assesses as most able to reign, keep the peace, and develop a stable and self-sustaining system.
Re: Tarvek as ruler
Ruthless? I'm less convinced he's not...though he's still young and squeamish. But he was able to grit his teeth and steel Agatha's voice, trick Anveka and then turn her off, juggle with Lu, plan something with the broadcast beacon, betray Agatha even if it was to rescue her ultimately...
He's got a tough core. He's a bit like a hobbit: there's a core of wiry, resolute strength that allows him to go through with things he clearly does not like if they have to be done.
What we still don't know in full context is what his ultimate motivating concerns are. If he's ultimately most dedicated to saving Europa from itself, he could choose to promote Gil, Agatha, himself, or a complete random new character, based on whomever he assesses as most able to reign, keep the peace, and develop a stable and self-sustaining system.