faineant

[Klimt]

[fey-nee-uhnt]

Having a slothful temper and a disposition to remain idly indifferent in spite of pressure or urgency

The faineant Kings even at fourteen years, and their children were miserable weaklings. As kings they had only the semblance of power; they remained shut up in their villae surrounded by great luxury...

he does not abandon hope in the masses...or see the people animated only by a faineant desire to be ruled

Send us a faineant governor, a King Log, who will not presume to interfere with us; a governor who will spend his money and live like a gentleman, and care little or nothing for politics.

[Slava]

AAAGH! You beat me to it! I've been meaning to suggest this one for a while now, but never got around to it.

[LukeJavan8]

Curious word. Don't ever hear it. Don't see it, except
in novels such as you posted.