Doreen

Biodata

Background / History

Service to Hera

Hera brought Doreen and Winslow home from the Northern Territory, and both became longstanding members of her household. Doreen regularly accompanies Hera on difficult assignments, while Winslow generally prefers to remain at Hot Spring Ravine 8 20.

After Hera injures Poseidon while protecting Li Jia, Doreen attends her through the resulting divine punishment. She administers restorative medicine, conceals Hera’s condition on her orders, and guards the secret chamber throughout her recovery. To explain their absence, she tells Winslow that they are leaving to handle troublesome business 8.

Doreen notices that Hera leaves seclusion before fully recovering to check on Li Jia. When Hera asks what makes a qualified Divine Lord, Doreen answers that one should follow regulations and remain impartial and selfless, affirming that Hera is the most qualified 9.

The Dragon’s Marriage Petition

Doreen accompanies Hera’s party to Polar Night Fortress to investigate the marriage of Mofeiliya and Luoleila. During the journey, she carries Li Jia’s luggage, checks the chariot’s course, and watches their surroundings 18.

In the royal capital, Doreen questions the server Felix for local information and learns that Mofeiliya is female. She subsequently objects that Mofeiliya disguised herself as a man to bypass the Covenant Bucket’s marriage screening, making the case a failure of the temple’s oversight 20 24.

Following Hera’s plan to test the couple’s devotion, Doreen binds Luoleila and threatens her with her twin blades during a staged confrontation. She later places knives before the couple and offers each the chance to kill the other and end their marriage. When both refuse and ask to die together instead, she releases Luoleila and steps aside for Hera’s solution 25 27.

After Hera allows the couple to remain together, Doreen handles the petition’s resolution. Back at Hot Spring Ravine, she eventually expands the reservoir to accommodate the multiplying goldfish Hera brought home from the dragon’s garden 27.

Hera and Li Jia’s Covenant

Doreen is the only member of the household who does not welcome Hera’s announcement that she will register a marriage with Li Jia. After the covenant is completed, she privately warns Hera that a same-sex marriage violates established propriety and could make the mortal Li Jia a target 48.

Hera rejects those objections, declares that she can protect Li Jia, and orders a new marriage regulation: “Where the heart leads, gender does not matter” 48.

Appearance

Doreen is tall, standing a head above Winslow, with cold, sharp features and an imposing, frosty presence 8.

• Clothing: Introduced wearing a black maid outfit 8.
• Hair: Longer than her waist and usually tied into a high ponytail to keep it out of the way while wielding her sabers 8 16.
• Hair ribbon: Favors a black-and-gold ribbon with crooked embroidery, an early handmade gift from Winslow 16.
• Weapons: Commonly carries two long blades strapped to her back 8.

Personality

Doreen is reserved, direct, and disciplined. She initially questions whether Li Jia’s declarations of love are sincere, noticing the trembling hand that Winslow overlooks. Her attachment to regulations also makes her willing to challenge Hera’s decisions when she believes the temple’s duties are being neglected 11 24.

Her severe manner conceals considerable warmth. Winslow describes her as shy around strangers rather than unfriendly, and Li Jia comes to regard her as reliable and quietly caring. Doreen accepts Li Jia’s gift of doughnuts with an embarrassed smile, while her concern for Winslow appears through practical help, indulgence, and gentle physical care 8 10 15 16.

Doreen is fiercely protective of the household. Although often bewildered by Hera’s indulgence toward Li Jia, she eventually accepts it and reasons that she and Hera can support both Li Jia and Winslow. Her objections to Hera’s marriage also include a concrete fear for Li Jia’s safety, rather than concern for propriety alone 19 48.

Abilities & Skills

Blade Mastery

Doreen is an experienced saber fighter whose skill Winslow praises as unmatched. She later teaches Li Jia basic sword techniques 9 18 31.

• Uses a pair of long blades 8.
• Leads Li Jia through foundational movements during her daily training with Little Judgment of the Dao 31.
• Treasures her weapons; Winslow’s suggestion that they be used to slice meat visibly irritates her 9.

Strength and Restraint

Doreen demonstrates substantial physical strength and can restrain others before they react 18 25 27.

• Handles Li Jia’s heavily packed suitcase without the difficulty an ordinary person would face 18.
• Conjures hemp rope and rapidly binds Luoleila’s wrists and legs 25.
• Lifts Luoleila with one hand during the staged test of the couple’s devotion 27.

Marriage Law and Investigation

Doreen assists with temple business and is familiar with its marriage regulations and screening procedures 20 24.

• Questions witnesses and offers payment for useful local information 20.
• Identifies the discrepancy between Mofeiliya’s sex and the Covenant Bucket’s screening requirements 20 24.
• Attempts to cite Article 137 of the Marriage Code when objecting to Hera’s handling of the case 24.

Supportive Medical Care

Doreen tends Hera during divine punishment, providing medicine intended to strengthen her body and prevent dehydration 8.

• Limit: Her treatment cannot alleviate divine punishment itself 8.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Twin blades — Two long weapons decorated with golden patterns, black hilts, and silver blades; usually carried on her back 8.
• Black-and-gold hair ribbon — A poorly embroidered gift from Winslow that Doreen refuses to replace, despite owning other ribbons Winslow made for her 16.

Relationships

• Hera — Sovereign and longtime leader. Doreen serves as a trusted aide, protects the secrecy of her recovery, and speaks frankly when duty or safety demands it 8 9 24 48.
• Winslow — Longtime companion and fellow household member. Doreen indulges her but also scolds her carelessness. She helps Winslow board the chariot, carries her home when she pretends to sleep, and continues wearing an old ribbon Winslow made 10 15 16.
• Li Jia — Fellow household member and sword pupil. Initially suspicious of her professed devotion to Hera, Doreen grows protective of her and takes responsibility for her martial training 11 19 31 48.
• Mofeiliya and Luoleila — Subjects of a marriage investigation. Doreen raises the legal objections to their registration and carries out Hera’s staged test of their willingness to sacrifice for one another 24 25 27.