Fujiwara no Takaiko, also known as Empress Nijō, stands as a central figure within the narrative. Her long black hair flows to her waist, framing brownish-red eyes, and she is often adorned in traditional junihitoe-style kimonos. Possessing a down-to-earth sensibility, she initially rebuffs the romantic advances and poetic declarations of the aristocrat Ariwara no Narihira, citing her impending duty as imperial consort.

Born in 842 to Fujiwara no Nagara of the influential Hokke branch of the Fujiwara clan, her roots lie deep within Heian-period aristocracy. Despite her early resistance, she eventually engages in a forbidden romance with Narihira. Their affair escalates to an attempted elopement, abruptly halted when her brother arrives; Narihira instructs her to return home, resulting in their permanent separation. She then fulfills her destiny, becoming a consort to Emperor Seiwa.

Through her imperial position, she becomes mother to Prince Sadaakira, later Emperor Yōzei. Years afterward, she encounters Narihira again under altered circumstances: he serves as a general guarding the imperial palace where she resides as the emperor's mother. Their interactions become formal and distanced, acknowledging their shared past affection while accepting their present roles, reflecting her pragmatic acceptance of societal duty over personal desire.

Her relationships define her story: the unresolved tension with Narihira, her maternal bond with Emperor Yōzei, and her ties to the Fujiwara clan. She lived until 910, maintaining her status as Empress Dowager. Her portrayal merges historical records with dramatic interpretation, highlighting the emotional conflict between duty and personal longing.