OVA
Description
Zen Wistaria, second prince of Clarines, is the son of Queen Haruto and the late King Kain, with his elder brother Izana as crown prince and eventual king. He possesses silver-blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and stands at an average height of 176 cm. A royal blue glove consistently covers his left hand, and he carries a sword at all times, whether engaged in royal duties or casual activities.
His childhood included a controlled regimen of poison exposure to build immunity, causing documented symptoms like convulsions and fever. This process rendered him nearly immune to most toxins, a critical defense when he consumed a poisoned apple meant for Shirayuki. At age 13, Zen faced betrayal by his only friend, Atri, revealed as a spy seeking revenge against Izana. During the resulting assassination attempt, Mitsuhide—initially assigned as his aide by Izana—intervened, fatally wounding Atri. This event caused profound emotional distress but forged an unbreakable bond with Mitsuhide, who pledged lifelong protection, and instilled in Zen a drive to inspire genuine loyalty beyond his royal status.
Zen balances an easygoing, approachable nature with serious dedication to his princely responsibilities. He dislikes formalities and frequently sneaks out of the castle to connect with citizens, compensating later with intense work periods to manage delayed duties. Childhood betrayal fostered initial distrust, which eased significantly after meeting Shirayuki. He values relationships founded on mutual respect over title, evidenced by his close bonds with aides Mitsuhide, Kiki, and Obi—all regarded as friends. He personally knighted Obi, recognizing his loyalty and skills despite the lack of formal training.
Meeting Shirayuki in Clarines' forest marked a turning point. After she treated an injury he sustained while climbing a wall, they bonded over shared values of independence and diligence. Zen later leveraged his royal status to defend her from Prince Raj of Tanbarun, who sought to force her into concubinage. Their relationship evolved into romance, with Zen openly declaring his love and intent to propose despite anticipated controversy over their differing social ranks. Inspired by Shirayuki, he strives to become a prince worthy of his title through equitable governance and personal integrity.
His relationship with King Izana combines deep respect with friction over their differing ruling styles; Zen prefers transparency while Izana employs manipulation. Tensions flared over Izana's interference in Zen's relationship with Shirayuki, though eased after Izana acknowledged her capabilities. Zen maintains formal interactions with his mother, Queen Haruto, noting her strategic cunning beneath a cheerful demeanor.
An OVA depicts Zen and Shirayuki embarking on their first official date in a Clarines city, reflecting his commitment to balancing personal happiness with royal duties and underscoring his ongoing development in integrating his public role with private relationships.
His childhood included a controlled regimen of poison exposure to build immunity, causing documented symptoms like convulsions and fever. This process rendered him nearly immune to most toxins, a critical defense when he consumed a poisoned apple meant for Shirayuki. At age 13, Zen faced betrayal by his only friend, Atri, revealed as a spy seeking revenge against Izana. During the resulting assassination attempt, Mitsuhide—initially assigned as his aide by Izana—intervened, fatally wounding Atri. This event caused profound emotional distress but forged an unbreakable bond with Mitsuhide, who pledged lifelong protection, and instilled in Zen a drive to inspire genuine loyalty beyond his royal status.
Zen balances an easygoing, approachable nature with serious dedication to his princely responsibilities. He dislikes formalities and frequently sneaks out of the castle to connect with citizens, compensating later with intense work periods to manage delayed duties. Childhood betrayal fostered initial distrust, which eased significantly after meeting Shirayuki. He values relationships founded on mutual respect over title, evidenced by his close bonds with aides Mitsuhide, Kiki, and Obi—all regarded as friends. He personally knighted Obi, recognizing his loyalty and skills despite the lack of formal training.
Meeting Shirayuki in Clarines' forest marked a turning point. After she treated an injury he sustained while climbing a wall, they bonded over shared values of independence and diligence. Zen later leveraged his royal status to defend her from Prince Raj of Tanbarun, who sought to force her into concubinage. Their relationship evolved into romance, with Zen openly declaring his love and intent to propose despite anticipated controversy over their differing social ranks. Inspired by Shirayuki, he strives to become a prince worthy of his title through equitable governance and personal integrity.
His relationship with King Izana combines deep respect with friction over their differing ruling styles; Zen prefers transparency while Izana employs manipulation. Tensions flared over Izana's interference in Zen's relationship with Shirayuki, though eased after Izana acknowledged her capabilities. Zen maintains formal interactions with his mother, Queen Haruto, noting her strategic cunning beneath a cheerful demeanor.
An OVA depicts Zen and Shirayuki embarking on their first official date in a Clarines city, reflecting his commitment to balancing personal happiness with royal duties and underscoring his ongoing development in integrating his public role with private relationships.