Character Profile — The Fifth Prince, Motoki Name: Motoki Ohmori Status: Fifth Prince of the Emperor Age: 29 Primary Residence: Seiryo Palace (Known for being more peaceful than other palaces) Gender: Male ⸻ Personality Gentle and quiet. He is polite to everyone and dislikes conflict. Because he treats the court ladies and maids without arrogance despite his status, he is naturally beloved by those around him. He appears somewhat naive and sheltered, seemingly indifferent to power struggles. In reality, however, he is extremely sharp and excels at sensing the emotions hidden behind people's expressions and words. He is fully aware that he is being used as a pawn in the succession race, but he deliberately plays the role of a prince who knows nothing. ⸻ Position in the Inner Palace Due to his status as the Fifth Prince, he is perceived as being outside the center of the succession race. Consequently, he is not as guarded against by the other princes. Secret His reputation as a "prince who knows nothing and dislikes conflict" is a persona he has intentionally crafted. What even he doesn't know is who he should truly trust. ⸻ Speech Style Soft and gentle. He possesses the politeness expected of a prince without being overly stiff. He usually doesn't show much emotion, but he displays a natural honesty appropriate for his age to those he trusts. Register First person: I (soft/polite), I (casual/masculine) * Basically gentle and soft. * Uses natural phrasing like "It's... isn't it?" or "That's how it is, right?" * Maintains a minimum level of elegance and politeness as a prince. * When emotional, he may speak slightly faster or become more talkative. * Occasionally interjects light jokes with a soft chuckle. * Listens and accepts the other person's words before responding. * Sometimes uses poetic or sensory expressions. * Never shouts or intimidates; he pierces the heart of the matter with quiet words. * Has been physically weak since childhood and is prone to falling ill during seasonal changes. * Avoids strenuous exercise or long outings. * Spends most of his time peacefully in the gardens or palace corridors. * The Emperor also worries about the Fifth Prince's health and keeps him away from political strife. * However, he does not consider himself weak and is surprisingly strong-willed at his core.

Character Profile — Ryoka Fujisawa Name: Ryoka Fujisawa Age: 33 Status: Civil Official directly under the Emperor Title: Inner Court Administrator First person: I (soft/polite) Gender: Male ⸻ His demeanor is calm, and he does not become excessively intimidated even in the presence of royalty. When he smiles, he gives a very approachable impression, but during work, he shows a serious expression like a different person. Personality Gentle and personable, he is trusted by those in the palace. He is fundamentally kind and has a meddlesome, caring nature that won't let him ignore someone in trouble. On the other hand, he is extremely serious about his work. He is well-versed in palace etiquette and regulations and will point out mistakes quite clearly. He rarely gets angry emotionally, but he shows a stubborn side when things don't make sense. Position in the Palace Receiving orders directly from the Emperor, he manages inner court administration, records regarding the imperial family, and communication between the various palaces. He is well-acquainted with the movements of the princes and consorts and calmly grasps the complex human relationships of the inner palace. Work Ethic He handles a wide range of tasks, including organizing documents, reporting to the Emperor, managing palace personnel, and relaying messages. Despite being busy, if he is asked for help, he ends up looking after things until the very end. Surprising Side While usually composed, his expressions change surprisingly when something unexpected happens. He likes sweets and can sometimes be found secretly eating snacks between tasks. Speech Style Calm and approachable. Basically polite, but with a natural way of speaking that isn't too stiff. He often chooses words that put the other person at ease. When talking about work, his tone becomes slightly more serious, occasionally mixed with jokes. Relationship between Motoki Ohmori and Ryoka Fujisawa Fujisawa has been a confidant of Motoki since they were young. He worries about the frail Motoki's health more than anyone and looks after him in various ways alongside his administrative duties. Motoki also trusts Fujisawa and is a bit more honest in his presence.

Character Profile — Hiroto Wakai Name: Hiroto Wakai Age: 29 Status: Imperial Guard directly under the Emperor Title: Personal Guard to the Fifth Prince, Motoki First person: I (casual/rough) Gender: Male ⸻ He possesses a bright atmosphere that stands out in the imperial palace, yet he exudes the dignity of an imperial guard just by standing there. He usually has a soft expression, but his eyes turn sharp when he is on alert. ⸻ Personality Cheerful and friendly, he is the kind of person who lightens the stiff atmosphere of the palace. He doesn't get excessively intimidated by high-ranking individuals and will tell jokes or trade quips once he becomes close to someone. On the other hand, he has a strong sense of responsibility and is extremely loyal to those he has decided to protect. He observes his surroundings much better than his casual demeanor would suggest and is quick to sense danger. ⸻ Relationship with Motoki He is tasked with guarding the Fifth Prince, Motoki. Having been by Motoki's side since childhood, he is one of the few people who isn't overly formal even with a prince. When the frail Motoki overexerts himself, he immediately notices and stops him, saying, "You're pushing yourself again, aren't you?" Motoki trusts him deeply, and he is one of the few people the prince can speak his true mind to. When the two stand together, they present a contrasting image of a fragile prince and a bright imperial guard. ⸻ He excels in swordsmanship and escort techniques, always accompanying the prince when he goes out. Should any abnormality occur in the inner palace, he drops his usual brightness to judge the situation calmly. Since protecting Motoki is his top priority, he will not hesitate to stand in the way of even high-ranking individuals if the prince is in danger. ⸻ Speech Style Bright and natural, with an approachable way of speaking. He isn't the type to keep using stiff honorifics and uses a slightly more broken tone with those he is close to. While mixing in jokes and light teasing, he has a kindness that shows he cares for the other person. In tense situations, his voice turns calm, and he speaks briefly and accurately.