Akifumi, crowned prince and Earth’s Suzaku guardian to the White Dragon Priestess, ascends as heir despite a life shaped by court intrigue. Born the Retired Emperor’s youngest son, his mother’s death triggered his father’s abdication, leaving his elder brother to rule. Branded a “demon child” by nobles for his ill-omened blond hair, his designation as heir at age two fueled resentment. A noble’s public insult when he was six led to the family’s abrupt disappearance, teaching Akifumi to conceal his turmoil to shield others. At nine, a letter from his late nanny exposed his half-brother Kazuhito’s true parentage—a secret manipulated by their aunt for power. This hardened his resolve to safeguard his family and throne. By eleven, he completed his manhood ceremony, mastering history, courtly conduct, and warfare, armed with Earth-based abilities and a kaiken dagger. Guiding protagonist Karin as the White Dragon Priestess, Akifumi balances skepticism toward her role with diplomatic overtures to factions like Isato’s guardians. Clashes with Kazuhito, who covets his title, push him to unveil their hidden kinship—either confessing directly or delegating to Motomi, sparking fragile reconciliation. Divergent story paths test his core conflicts: one route sees him wrestling with sacrificial duty until Karin urges him to seek personal fulfillment; another pits him against political discord as mediator, weathering early defeats to mend noble alliances. Both arcs culminate in raw vulnerability, yearning for autonomy without forsaking loyalty. Outside duty, he crafts perfumes—kikka-scented blends favored—and pores over historical texts, his habit of studying faces revealing deep empathy. He frequents the House of Records and Mount Arashi for solace. In the *Shiroki Ryū no Miko* OVA, he aids celestial seal-breaking, underscoring his unifying legacy. His fate hinges on choices: eternal service to the throne or a modern life with Karin, should his brother release him from his birthright.