TV-Series
Description
Hugh Anthony Disward, nicknamed Huey, is the grandson of bibliomaniac Wesley Disward. Born into the envious aristocratic Disward clan, he spent weekdays studying in the capital while residing part-time at Wesley's mansion with his fashion-designer mother. She occasionally dressed him as a girl called "Antoinette Disward" during modeling shortages. During one such session, a witch threatened to steal the key to Dantalian's Bookshelf; time-traveling Dalian intervened, leading Huey to receive the golden key. He opened the bookshelf, met a girl in white, and promised to free her—memories he lost until adulthood. His airplane-enthusiast father inspired Huey's aviation passion, but he lost respect for him after witnessing the family's mistreatment of his mother. Childhood companions included Kamilla Sauer Keynes, Leon Kim Keynes, Gaveston II, Lyfia Lavers Asquith, and Mildred Dewar, with whom he explored the mansion's secrets. He took violin lessons and joined riding clubs.
After his mother's death, he served as a Royal Air Force Pilot Officer in the Great War. Initially arrogant and kill-focused, he befriended Flight Lieutenant Ilas Alcock, who prioritized flying's joy over combat. Ilas's death—later revealed as a resurrection by the antagonist Professor—devastated Huey. When Ilas reappeared as the "Faceless Ghost," Huey engaged him in a dogfight, earning but discarding a medal. Wartime comrades included Armand Jeremiah, whom he frequently aided, and instructor John McGuigan.
Inheriting Wesley's estate required guardianship of Dantalian's Bookshelf and care for Dalian, the living manifestation of the phantom library Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian housing 900,666 forbidden Phantom Books. Though initially motivated by leisurely wealth, Huey became key-keeper, wielding Wesley's golden revolver. Partnered with Dalian, he locates, seals, and sometimes lends Phantom Books, consulting a used bookstore owner and aiding police in book-related cases. Missions involve resolving incidents from misused books, like a zombie outbreak from the Book of Atonement or clashes with Biblioprincesses such as Flamberge and Rasiel. The Professor once targeted Huey for his Wesley ties, causing near-fatal injuries that forced him to recall his childhood promise to the girl in white.
In the spin-off "Dalian Days," he attends university in the capital and works as a student teacher at all-girls Road Windal Academy, residing at Ombolo Mansion in St. Regal.
Huey displays calm patience, accepting key-keeper duties without complaint. He tolerates Dalian's spoiled rudeness with playful teasing or by ignoring absurd demands, while cooking for her, carrying her when she refuses to walk, and indulging her sweet tooth. Despite aristocracy, he cooks, fixes his car, and handles bookkeeping, rejecting his family's status obsession. Military service honed his bravery and marksmanship, though he prefers non-lethal methods and avoids war discussions. He retains an aviation passion, occasionally borrowing private planes from Armand, and enjoys detective novels and ale at bars.
As key-keeper, Phantom Books uniquely love him, letting him read them unharmed. He believes humanity needs knowledge but acknowledges forbidden texts' dangers. His promise to the girl in white—later revealed as an alternate Dalian manifestation—drives his commitment to free her from the bookshelf. He protects Dalian fiercely, dragging her from danger or shielding her, and reflects on Phantom Books' ethics, feeling responsible for victims of Wesley's past book-lending.
After his mother's death, he served as a Royal Air Force Pilot Officer in the Great War. Initially arrogant and kill-focused, he befriended Flight Lieutenant Ilas Alcock, who prioritized flying's joy over combat. Ilas's death—later revealed as a resurrection by the antagonist Professor—devastated Huey. When Ilas reappeared as the "Faceless Ghost," Huey engaged him in a dogfight, earning but discarding a medal. Wartime comrades included Armand Jeremiah, whom he frequently aided, and instructor John McGuigan.
Inheriting Wesley's estate required guardianship of Dantalian's Bookshelf and care for Dalian, the living manifestation of the phantom library Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian housing 900,666 forbidden Phantom Books. Though initially motivated by leisurely wealth, Huey became key-keeper, wielding Wesley's golden revolver. Partnered with Dalian, he locates, seals, and sometimes lends Phantom Books, consulting a used bookstore owner and aiding police in book-related cases. Missions involve resolving incidents from misused books, like a zombie outbreak from the Book of Atonement or clashes with Biblioprincesses such as Flamberge and Rasiel. The Professor once targeted Huey for his Wesley ties, causing near-fatal injuries that forced him to recall his childhood promise to the girl in white.
In the spin-off "Dalian Days," he attends university in the capital and works as a student teacher at all-girls Road Windal Academy, residing at Ombolo Mansion in St. Regal.
Huey displays calm patience, accepting key-keeper duties without complaint. He tolerates Dalian's spoiled rudeness with playful teasing or by ignoring absurd demands, while cooking for her, carrying her when she refuses to walk, and indulging her sweet tooth. Despite aristocracy, he cooks, fixes his car, and handles bookkeeping, rejecting his family's status obsession. Military service honed his bravery and marksmanship, though he prefers non-lethal methods and avoids war discussions. He retains an aviation passion, occasionally borrowing private planes from Armand, and enjoys detective novels and ale at bars.
As key-keeper, Phantom Books uniquely love him, letting him read them unharmed. He believes humanity needs knowledge but acknowledges forbidden texts' dangers. His promise to the girl in white—later revealed as an alternate Dalian manifestation—drives his commitment to free her from the bookshelf. He protects Dalian fiercely, dragging her from danger or shielding her, and reflects on Phantom Books' ethics, feeling responsible for victims of Wesley's past book-lending.