Irene

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Irene (艾琳)
Alias(es)	Princess Irene; Your Majesty Irene
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Royal family of the Kingdom
Occupation/Role	Princess; later the Kingdom's King, having declared herself its first queen during the succession struggle 376 381
Status	Active 496
First Appearance	Chapter 150

Background / History

Irene was raised largely within the Royal Palace and rarely allowed to leave it. At sixteen, she was King Norris's most beloved daughter: a sheltered but kind princess accustomed to being protected and indulged by her father. She became attached to the pink heart-shaped crystal pendant Claire gave her, associating it with the love story told alongside the gift 150 151 161.

Intrigued by reports of a mermaid near Nafu City, Irene secured permission to visit. Her stay exposed her to ordinary life beyond the palace: public markets, schools, cooking, and the visible happiness of Nafu City's residents. The visit also brought her closer to Claire, whose views on self-worth, public welfare, and critical thinking left a lasting impression on her 161 163 166 167 170.

After seeing the mermaid, Irene resolved not to wait passively for a “prince” as the mermaid did. She kissed Claire on the cheek, asked him to stay with her for sunrise, and later became openly more affectionate toward him 171 172.

Norris's sudden death left Irene grief-stricken and vulnerable. Fearing that Vito or Klee would marry her off as a political pawn after taking the throne, she summoned Claire and asked him to marry her. Claire instead urged her to consider her own wishes and helped her recognize a desire to realize her own value rather than remain carefree and dependent on others 363 364 369.

With Claire's support, Irene accepted a bid for the throne. Though initially overwhelmed by the coalition assembled on her behalf, she came to see the succession struggle as a duty to her father and the kingdom's people 374. When her brothers dismissed her on the basis of her gender, she publicly declared that she would become the kingdom's first queen 376. She was subsequently crowned King and rewarded Claire for his role in her ascension 381 382.

Personality

Irene initially presents as sweet-natured, innocent, and emotionally expressive. She is easily delighted by unfamiliar experiences—from riding the Wolf King and seeing a mermaid to cooking and shopping at a market—and is especially moved by sincere displays of happiness among common people 163 164 167 170.

Her sheltered upbringing initially leaves her inexperienced with money and practical matters, but she is eager to learn rather than dismissive of what she does not know. She listens carefully when challenged, including when Claire questions her interpretation of Snow White and explains why work can matter beyond profit 166 170.

Irene is affectionate and shy around Claire, often reverting to her former princess-like manner in private despite her public authority. She trusts him with her worries and seeks his counsel, but her reliance on him gradually develops into a stronger sense of self-worth and responsibility 363 369 378 446.

As King, Irene becomes composed, decisive, and politically aware. She can set aside personal anger to consider the broader consequences of a decision, exploit the Church's weakened position, and navigate pressure from powerful noble factions 414 415 417 495.

Abilities & Skills

Governance and Political Judgment

Irene grows into an active ruler capable of using political crises to strengthen royal authority.

• Punishes a corrupt noble to prevent exploitation of a legal loophole from becoming a broader precedent 414.
• Uses evidence against the Church to discredit it publicly and weaken its influence across the kingdom 415 416.
• Plans to suppress nobles connected to the Church and other ambitious factions during the resulting instability 416.
• Negotiates aggressively with the Church's new Pontiff, raising her demands until he agrees to a major payment in exchange for the imprisoned Pontiff's release 417.
• Recognizes that a monarch must balance powerful noble, Archmage, and Sword Saint interest groups rather than rule without constraint 495.

Public Resolve

Irene can maintain a composed, commanding public image despite private anxiety.

• Directly challenges Vito and Klee when they claim women are inferior to men 376.
• Declares her intention to become the kingdom's first queen before the assembled nobility 376.
• Faces Vito's threats without backing down after gaining the advantage in the first succession confrontation 377.
• Relies on Claire's reassurance after public appearances, revealing that her confidence was initially hard-won 378.

Social Grace and Empathy

• Connects easily with Nafu City's residents and recognizes the difference between staged respect and genuine happiness 163 164.
• Treats servants and commoners politely, asking Yuna to call her “Irene” rather than using formal titles 167.
• Shows empathy for Nafu City's former hardships and chooses to eat the same dried shredded squid offered to ordinary residents 164 165.
• Is comfortable listening to personal stories and sharing her own experiences with people she trusts 171 446.

Equipment / Personal Items

• Pink heart-shaped crystal pendant — A gift from Claire, accompanied by a story about love overcoming misunderstanding. Irene continues wearing and valuing it after her visit to Nafu City 150 151 163 172.
• Magic pendant — Gifted to Irene by Prince Albert 150.
• Jewelry set by Mason — A necklace, earrings, and brooch given to her by Claire; she wears the necklace during their reunion in the Royal Capital 446.

Relationships

• Claire — Close friend, romantic interest, adviser, and principal supporter of her claim to the throne. Irene confesses her feelings, seeks him out during her crisis, and relies on his guidance as both princess and King 171 363 364 374 446.
• King Norris — Father and former King. Irene was his most beloved daughter; his death precipitates her personal and political crisis 161 364.
• Vito — Elder brother and rival claimant to the throne. Irene fears he would use her in a political marriage and later openly opposes him in the succession struggle 364 376 377.
• Klee — Elder brother and rival claimant to the throne. He threatens Irene after rejecting the idea of a woman inheriting the throne 364 376 379.
• Sophia — Early confidante and later royal adviser. Sophia supports Irene's candidacy, works with her against the Church, and addresses her formally after her coronation 161 366 415 417.
• Shane — Brother and supporter. Their reunion is affectionate, and Shane later helps secure backing for Irene's succession bid 150 374 376.
• Hayden — Irene's uncle and Earth Knight guard. His overprotectiveness creates repeated tension during her visit to Nafu City 163 164 165.
• Sword Saint Hubert — Influential military supporter and protector during the succession crisis 374 377 379.
• Yana Guen — Political ally whose family publicly supports Irene's claim 374 376.
• Edith — Supporter whose presence brings the influence of the Merlin family to Irene's coalition 374 377.

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Nafu City visit — Travels to Nafu City to see the rumored mermaid, experiences common life, and forms a closer bond with Claire 161 163 172.
• Loss of Norris and succession crisis — Mourns her father, fears political exploitation by her brothers, and turns to Claire for support 363 364.
• Campaign for the throne — Accepts Claire's plan to make her ruler, gathers major noble and military support, and publicly challenges Vito and Klee 366 374 376 377.
• Coronation — Becomes King and grants Claire the authority to establish a duchy within his territory 381.
• Rule and conflict with the Church — Uses public opinion, political pressure, and negotiations to weaken the Church and secure concessions from it 415 416 417.
• Noble opposition — Faces coordinated pressure from powerful noble factions seeking to test her by targeting Claire's ducal status and Griffin Territory's wealth 495.
• Return to Griffin Territory — Visits Nafu City incognito to see Claire and discuss the worries weighing on her rule 495 496.

Notable Quotes

“Since that's the case, I will be our kingdom's first queen!” 376

“I will not regret any of the decisions I have made. You are the one who should regret it!” 377

Trivia

• Irene is sixteen when she first plans her visit to Nafu City 161.
• She enjoys pork knuckle dishes despite Claire finding the preference unexpected for her delicate public image 168.
• The heartfelt welcome from Nafu City's residents deeply affects her and helps shape her understanding of Claire's rule 163 170.
• She remains enthusiastic about mermaids even after becoming King 496.