shoukei

For thirty years, while her father ruled as King of Hou, she was known as Sonshou but commonly called Shoukei. Living within the palace walls, she grew up as a pampered child because her father never allowed her to venture into the kingdom. When her father was overthrown by Gekkei, she witnessed the brutal deaths of her mother and Hourin (the kirin). Following this, she was stripped of her immortal status and exiled to live in a remote village in Gekkei's Kei province. Over the next three years, she transformed from an extravagantly dressed princess into someone filled with bitterness. She blamed everyone for her misfortune and never attempted to see things from another perspective. In her view, Gekkei was a usurper who coveted only the throne and acted unjustly in seizing it. She couldn't understand why anyone would commend him for his actions, especially since she believed he lived luxuriously in the palace while she endured hardship. Upon revealing her identity to the villagers, they tried to kill her. Only the old matron had enough sense to rush to Gekkei's palace and request help to save Shoukei's life. Gekkei then exiled Shoukei to the kingdom of Kyou, where she could reside in the royal palace under the condition that she work as a servant. The queen decided not to make her a Sen-nin due to her excessive pride. Despite agreeing to stay, Shoukei despised the arrangement. Working as a servant meant bowing, which she detested. Consequently, she stole treasures and fled to Ryuu. There, she learned that one could obtain land and citizenship without a pass if they came from Tai. Believing this would bring her closer to Youko, she planned to go to Tai and then to Kei. Before this plan could materialize, she was arrested and spent a night in jail with Rakushun. He gradually gained her trust and showed her how spoiled and self-indulgent she had been throughout her life. By the time Shoukei reached Kei, she had become a better person. Her intention was no longer to harm Youko but to warn her of the consequences of losing her way. Unknowingly, she met Youko in the Wa Province when she threw a rock at a soldier during a public execution. From there, she joined the rebel group aiming to overthrow Gahou, the evil lord of the province. While on a mission to retrieve touki weapons, she stayed with Suzu. They shared information about the rebellions. Shoukei assured Suzu that Youko was a good person who would have done everything possible to help Seishuu. Now fully reformed, Shoukei had learned to empathize with others. She was appointed as a courtier by Youko. She sent a letter to Gekkei apologizing for her past behavior and hoping he would take the throne until a new ruler was chosen.