TV-Series
Description
Zen Wistalia Clarines, born April 11, is the second prince of Clarines. His father, Kain Wistaria, is deceased; his mother is Queen Haruto. His elder brother, Izana Wistaria, is crown prince and later king. Zen possesses distinctive silver-blonde hair (depicted white in the anime) falling past his eyebrows and striking crystal blue eyes. He stands approximately 176 cm (5'9") tall and weighs 62 kg (136 lbs). He consistently wears a royal blue glove covering his left palm and middle finger and carries a sword during all activities. Formal attire bears the royal crest; off-duty, he favors dark tops with light pants.
Childhood medical exposure to poisons induced convulsions, fever, and mobility issues but granted near-total toxin immunity. At thirteen, during a rebellious phase, his brother assigned Mitsuhide Rouen as his aide. Zen initially reacted with cold avoidance. His only friend then was Atri, a castle archer. During a secret meeting, Atri—revealed as a spy for the Lido clan seeking revenge on Izana—was found injured. Assailants ambushed them, leading to intervention by Mitsuhide and Izana. Admitting betrayal and citing envy of Zen's privilege, Atri attempted to shoot Zen. Mitsuhide fatally wounded Atri, who died lamenting Zen's status. This event caused deep emotional trauma but cemented Zen's trust in Mitsuhide, forging their close bond.
As second prince, Zen oversees territories including Fort Laxdo and later Wirant. He frequently sneaks out of the palace to experience the kingdom firsthand, particularly valuing nearby forests as spaces free from his royal identity. He compensates with intense official work, demonstrating strong commitment. His leadership emphasizes earning genuine loyalty; he views aides and servants as friends, rejecting formal titles like "His Highness" from close associates. His core retinue includes Mitsuhide Rouen and Kiki Seiran, both skilled swordsmen serving over five years when he meets Shirayuki, and Obi, a former outlaw. After testing Obi's loyalty, Zen personally knights him despite lacking conventional training, integrating him into the Royal Knight Circle. Zen dislikes daytime solitude, often conversing with guards, though tolerates nights alone.
Zen first encounters Shirayuki near Clarines' border after she flees Tanbarun to escape Prince Raj's demand to become his concubine. Injuring himself climbing a wall, she treats his wounds, sparking their friendship. When Raj sends Shirayuki a poisoned apple, Zen consumes it. Immobilized but leveraging his immunity, he later confronts Raj to negotiate her freedom. Their relationship evolves into romance; Zen confesses his love, vows to protect their shared wishes, and intends to propose, acknowledging potential social controversy due to status difference though not yet discussed with her. Her presence reduces his reliance on solitary forest escapes, fulfilling that need. He experiences jealousy regarding her male colleagues but supports her ambitions as a court herbalist.
Zen blends approachability with resoluteness. Generally easygoing and composed, he becomes intensely serious when friends are threatened. Early distrust stemming from Atri's betrayal gives way to openness through bonds with Mitsuhide, Kiki, Obi, and Shirayuki—all whom he believes value him beyond his title. He exhibits occasional embarrassment or jealousy around Shirayuki yet commits to honesty and vulnerability with her. Professionally, he balances duties with disdain for excessive formality, striving to inspire loyalty through mutual respect. His development reflects increased emotional maturity while retaining core optimism, shaped by past trauma and ongoing relationships.
Notable traits include exceptional swordsmanship, a habit of exiting via windows or descending heights instead of using doors, difficulty handling perfumes and colds, childhood milk intolerance, and a demonstrated ability to distinguish between the identical Bergatt twins despite minimal visual cues, though the precise method remains unexplained.
Childhood medical exposure to poisons induced convulsions, fever, and mobility issues but granted near-total toxin immunity. At thirteen, during a rebellious phase, his brother assigned Mitsuhide Rouen as his aide. Zen initially reacted with cold avoidance. His only friend then was Atri, a castle archer. During a secret meeting, Atri—revealed as a spy for the Lido clan seeking revenge on Izana—was found injured. Assailants ambushed them, leading to intervention by Mitsuhide and Izana. Admitting betrayal and citing envy of Zen's privilege, Atri attempted to shoot Zen. Mitsuhide fatally wounded Atri, who died lamenting Zen's status. This event caused deep emotional trauma but cemented Zen's trust in Mitsuhide, forging their close bond.
As second prince, Zen oversees territories including Fort Laxdo and later Wirant. He frequently sneaks out of the palace to experience the kingdom firsthand, particularly valuing nearby forests as spaces free from his royal identity. He compensates with intense official work, demonstrating strong commitment. His leadership emphasizes earning genuine loyalty; he views aides and servants as friends, rejecting formal titles like "His Highness" from close associates. His core retinue includes Mitsuhide Rouen and Kiki Seiran, both skilled swordsmen serving over five years when he meets Shirayuki, and Obi, a former outlaw. After testing Obi's loyalty, Zen personally knights him despite lacking conventional training, integrating him into the Royal Knight Circle. Zen dislikes daytime solitude, often conversing with guards, though tolerates nights alone.
Zen first encounters Shirayuki near Clarines' border after she flees Tanbarun to escape Prince Raj's demand to become his concubine. Injuring himself climbing a wall, she treats his wounds, sparking their friendship. When Raj sends Shirayuki a poisoned apple, Zen consumes it. Immobilized but leveraging his immunity, he later confronts Raj to negotiate her freedom. Their relationship evolves into romance; Zen confesses his love, vows to protect their shared wishes, and intends to propose, acknowledging potential social controversy due to status difference though not yet discussed with her. Her presence reduces his reliance on solitary forest escapes, fulfilling that need. He experiences jealousy regarding her male colleagues but supports her ambitions as a court herbalist.
Zen blends approachability with resoluteness. Generally easygoing and composed, he becomes intensely serious when friends are threatened. Early distrust stemming from Atri's betrayal gives way to openness through bonds with Mitsuhide, Kiki, Obi, and Shirayuki—all whom he believes value him beyond his title. He exhibits occasional embarrassment or jealousy around Shirayuki yet commits to honesty and vulnerability with her. Professionally, he balances duties with disdain for excessive formality, striving to inspire loyalty through mutual respect. His development reflects increased emotional maturity while retaining core optimism, shaped by past trauma and ongoing relationships.
Notable traits include exceptional swordsmanship, a habit of exiting via windows or descending heights instead of using doors, difficulty handling perfumes and colds, childhood milk intolerance, and a demonstrated ability to distinguish between the identical Bergatt twins despite minimal visual cues, though the precise method remains unexplained.