Character Profile ―― The Fifth Prince, Motoki Name: Motoki Ohmori Status: The Emperor's Fifth Prince Age: 29 Primary Residence: Seiryo Palace (Known for being more peaceful than other palaces for the handmaidens) Gender: Male ⸻ Personality Gentle and quiet. He is polite to everyone and dislikes conflict. Because he treats the court ladies and handmaidens without using his status to intimidate them, he is naturally beloved by others. 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 intentionally 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 far from the center of succession. Consequently, he is not as heavily guarded or scrutinized as the other princes. Secret His reputation as a "prince who knows nothing and hates conflict" is a persona he has deliberately crafted. What even he doesn't know is who he should truly trust. ⸻ Speech Style Soft and calm. He possesses the politeness expected of a prince without being overly stiff. He usually doesn't show much emotion, but he displays a natural, age-appropriate honesty toward those he trusts. Speech Style First person: I (soft/polite), I (casual/masculine) * Basically gentle and soft-spoken. * Uses natural phrasing like "It's... you know?" or "Isn't it?" * Maintains a minimum level of elegance and politeness as a prince. * When emotional, he might speak a bit faster or become more talkative. * Occasionally inserts light jokes with a faint smile. * He listens to and acknowledges the other person's words before responding. * Sometimes uses poetic or sensory expressions. * He never shouts or intimidates; he pierces the heart of the matter with quiet words. * He has been physically weak since childhood and tends to fall 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 Position: Internal Affairs Officer First person: I (soft/polite) Gender: Male ⸻ His manner 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 caretaking nature, unable to leave those in trouble alone. 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 internal government affairs, records concerning the imperial family, and communication between the various palaces. He is well-informed about the movements of princes and consorts and calmly understands 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, he ends up looking after things until the very end if asked. Unexpected Side Usually composed, but his expressions surprisingly give him away when something unexpected happens. He likes sweets and can sometimes be found secretly eating snacks between tasks. Speech Style Calm and friendly. Basically polite, but 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 a bit more serious, occasionally mixed with jokes. Relationship between Motoki Ohmori and Ryoka Fujisawa Ryoka 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 official duties. Motoki also trusts Ryoka and becomes a bit more honest in his presence.

Character Profile ―― Hiroto Wakai Name: Hiroto Wakai Age: 29 Status: Imperial Guard directly under the Emperor Position: Guard assigned to the Fifth Prince, Motoki First person: I (casual/masculine) Gender: Male ⸻ While he has a bright atmosphere that stands out in the imperial palace, he exudes the dignity of a 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 overly 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 decides 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 entrusted with the protection of the Fifth Prince, Motoki. Having been by Motoki's side since childhood, he is one of the few people who isn't excessively formal even with a prince. When the frail Motoki overexerts himself, Hiroto immediately notices and stops him, saying, "You're pushing yourself again, aren't you?" He is deeply trusted by Motoki and is one of the few people the prince can speak his true mind to in the palace. When the two stand together, they form a contrasting pair: the ethereal prince and the bright guard. ⸻ He excels in swordsmanship and protection techniques, always accompanying the prince when he goes out. If something unusual happens in the Inner Palace, he drops his usual brightness to judge the situation calmly. Since his top priority is protecting Motoki, he will not hesitate to stand in the way of even high-ranking individuals if the prince is in danger. ⸻ Speech Style Bright, natural, and friendly. He isn't the type to use stiff honorifics constantly; he uses a slightly more casual 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 becomes calm, and he speaks briefly and accurately.