TV-Series
Description
Dalian embodies the Bibliotheca Mystica de Dantalian, a repository holding 900,666 forbidden Phantom Books accessed via a lock embedded in her chest. Her origins stem from an ancient Chinese legend of a mystical jar containing a palace and country, later termed "heaven in the pot." This artifact traversed centuries and possessors, including Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II, who harnessed its power to gather forbidden knowledge, sparking conflicts. Bibliophile Wesley Disward eventually acquired the jar, with Dalian becoming its guardian. After Wesley's death, she awaited his grandson, Hugh Anthony Disward, in the mansion's basement, transferring guardianship to him as the new Keykeeper. Few beyond powerful circles versed in forbidden lore know of her existence.
She manifests as a young girl with long black hair tinted purple, dark pink eyes, and a doll-like visage, typically clad in Gothic Lolita attire: a black dress, tiara, and often a black coat with white fur trim. A distinctive metallic lock rests at her collarbone, the access point to the phantom library within. Despite centuries of age, her appearance remains unchanged.
Her personality blends arrogance, impatience, and a sharp tongue; she frequently insults others—especially Hugh—with creative nicknames. This masks a deeper caring nature, particularly toward Hugh, whom she relies on emotionally and physically, often clutching his coat for security in unfamiliar settings. She exhibits jealousy over his interactions with other women and insecurities regarding her youthful look compared to mature women. A self-proclaimed tsundere, she alternates between rudeness and flashes of possessiveness or concern. She deeply respects Wesley Disward, mourns his death, and often echoes his phrase: "there are things in the world that shouldn’t be known."
She possesses a strong affinity for sweets, especially sugar-coated fried bread and tea-served scones, often placated or bribed with pastries; her hair tuft perks up anticipating sugary treats. An avid reader with broad linguistic skills, she favors romance and detective novels, frequently reading during travels and demanding Hugh carry her books. She reacts angrily to damaged books or reading interruptions. Despite vast knowledge, she avoids gourmet food, dislikes sharing meals, and consumes large quantities, claiming calories fuel her mental processes.
As Biblioprincess, she partners with Hugh to locate and seal rogue Phantom Books, identifying their powers and incanting pledges to activate them. Retrieving books requires Hugh inserting a key into her chest lock—a physically invasive yet consensual process. She takes her duties seriously, traveling extensively to prevent Phantom Books from causing harm, though shows scant interest in unrelated matters. She harbors fears of heights, ghosts, curses, monsters, and small animals like cats or puppies, often hiding behind Hugh or furniture when anxious.
In the spin-off *Dalian Days*, she attends Road Windal Academy as a student, forming friendships with classmates Priscilla, Cecil, and Margaret. This setting emphasizes school life and comedic interactions over Phantom Book mysteries, showcasing her adjusting to social dynamics while retaining bookish interests and blunt personality. Hugh serves as a student teacher there, and they reside in coastal Ombolo Mansion during this period.
Relationships define key facets: Hugh provides practical support like carrying her during escapes or cooking meals, their bond marked by mutual teasing and unspoken trust. Rivalries exist with other Biblioprincesses like Rasiel and Flamberge. She maintains connections with recurring figures such as bookseller Kamilla, whom she insults yet cares for, and Jessica Elphinstone, whose importance she refuses to openly acknowledge.
She manifests as a young girl with long black hair tinted purple, dark pink eyes, and a doll-like visage, typically clad in Gothic Lolita attire: a black dress, tiara, and often a black coat with white fur trim. A distinctive metallic lock rests at her collarbone, the access point to the phantom library within. Despite centuries of age, her appearance remains unchanged.
Her personality blends arrogance, impatience, and a sharp tongue; she frequently insults others—especially Hugh—with creative nicknames. This masks a deeper caring nature, particularly toward Hugh, whom she relies on emotionally and physically, often clutching his coat for security in unfamiliar settings. She exhibits jealousy over his interactions with other women and insecurities regarding her youthful look compared to mature women. A self-proclaimed tsundere, she alternates between rudeness and flashes of possessiveness or concern. She deeply respects Wesley Disward, mourns his death, and often echoes his phrase: "there are things in the world that shouldn’t be known."
She possesses a strong affinity for sweets, especially sugar-coated fried bread and tea-served scones, often placated or bribed with pastries; her hair tuft perks up anticipating sugary treats. An avid reader with broad linguistic skills, she favors romance and detective novels, frequently reading during travels and demanding Hugh carry her books. She reacts angrily to damaged books or reading interruptions. Despite vast knowledge, she avoids gourmet food, dislikes sharing meals, and consumes large quantities, claiming calories fuel her mental processes.
As Biblioprincess, she partners with Hugh to locate and seal rogue Phantom Books, identifying their powers and incanting pledges to activate them. Retrieving books requires Hugh inserting a key into her chest lock—a physically invasive yet consensual process. She takes her duties seriously, traveling extensively to prevent Phantom Books from causing harm, though shows scant interest in unrelated matters. She harbors fears of heights, ghosts, curses, monsters, and small animals like cats or puppies, often hiding behind Hugh or furniture when anxious.
In the spin-off *Dalian Days*, she attends Road Windal Academy as a student, forming friendships with classmates Priscilla, Cecil, and Margaret. This setting emphasizes school life and comedic interactions over Phantom Book mysteries, showcasing her adjusting to social dynamics while retaining bookish interests and blunt personality. Hugh serves as a student teacher there, and they reside in coastal Ombolo Mansion during this period.
Relationships define key facets: Hugh provides practical support like carrying her during escapes or cooking meals, their bond marked by mutual teasing and unspoken trust. Rivalries exist with other Biblioprincesses like Rasiel and Flamberge. She maintains connections with recurring figures such as bookseller Kamilla, whom she insults yet cares for, and Jessica Elphinstone, whose importance she refuses to openly acknowledge.