Chapter Text
Ah, so you’re interested in the tales of the fourteen kingdoms, are you? Well, sit down, because I have a story to tell you.
Long ago, fourteen kingdoms lived in peace and harmony, coexisting with one another as they were always meant to. But one day, something changed. The kingdoms lost the harmony they had and the music that made up the land was permanently muted.
Several rulers sealed themselves off from the world, and took their children with them.
Let me explain the kingdoms to you.
In the South, we have the four Empty kingdoms. Surrounded by a freezing wasteland, they’re nobody’s ideal tourist destination. The royalty there is distant, and the peasants are colder than the land itself… in multiple ways. The royals there have said that they want to “erase themselves from history and disappear”.
The Yoisakis rule the Northernmost Empty kingdom, although they haven’t been doing much ruling these days with the king being ill and the queen being dead. His daughter, Kanade Yoisaki, has done most of the ruling, although most of the time she’s shut off in her room, finding ways to communicate with the other Empty royals.
The Asahinas rule the Westernmost Empty kingdom, with a strict iron fist. The peasants deny all claims of the rulers being corrupt, saying they’re as kind as they are rich. I worry for their daughter, Mafuyu… news has it she hasn’t been out of her room in weeks.
The Shinonomes rule the Easternmost Empty kingdom, a heavy focus on the arts in their society. They have two children, Ena and Akito, although Akito spends most of his time in the Vivid kingdoms of the West. Unlike the others, Princess Ena Shinonome is very public about what she does. They say she even has a hand in the news production, although that could be peasant gossip.
Finally, the Akiyamas rule the Southernmost Empty kingdom, closest to being somewhat warm in the harsh winter state of the Empty kingdoms. I believe they had a son at one point, but no news has been released about him since his birth… us commonfolk are starting to wonder if he’s dead, or if he even existed at all. After all, there’s no record of him being real at any point.
Next, the Stellar kingdoms of the East. They’re known for their gorgeous night skies with frequent meteor showers choosing to fly over their location. Certainly a lot less secretive than the Empty kingdoms, they’re still no cheerful South.
The Mochizukis rule over the Northernmost Stellar kingdom, with their people reporting nothing but kindness on their part, especially by the young princess, Honami. They say she’d do anything to help out her people, even if it meant sacrificing what she wanted.
The Tenmas rule over the Westernmost Stellar kingdom. All the people know is that the royal family has a passion for theatre, and that they have two heirs, Saki and Tsukasa. Tsukasa, much like Akito, spends a lot of his time in another land— the Wonder kingdoms— but he’d never leave his sister alone for too long. She’s been sickly for a long time, and the prince seems to be worried that if he leaves her alone too long, she’ll fall ill again.
The Hinomoris rule over the Easternmost Stellar kingdom. It’s said that the royal family once had two daughters, but only one of them is still around. Nobody knows what happened to the eldest daughter, but the youngest daughter’s name is Shiho. She’s known by many to be determined, cold, and fierce, but would do anything to protect her people.
Finally, the Hoshinos rule over the Southernmost Stellar kingdom. They’re quiet, mysterious, and don’t leave a lot open to the public. Their daughter’s name is Ichika, but none of us commonfolk know anything about her. It’s said that she was once good friends with the other Stellar princesses, but… nobody knows what happened to their friendship after Saki fell ill.
Then, the Vivid kingdoms of the West. They’re known for their music scene, with focuses on more modern music. Personally, I think it’s insane that anyone would try to charge a lute with lightning, but they can do whatever they want. The three kingdoms form a triangle, instead of the regular rhombus that the first two we discussed form.
The Westernmost Vivid kingdom is ruled over by the Aoyagis, cold, distant, and determined. Their son, Toya, is known for being rebellious, and it’s rumoured that his rebelliousness is the cause of a bad influence… Prince Akito Shinonome of the Empty kingdoms. But don’t tell anyone I told you that or I will probably die.
The Shiraishis rule the Easternmost Vivid kingdom, the ones who started it all. King Ken Shiraishi invented a new type of music, it invited musicians and other artists to settle in the original kingdom, and two more kingdoms formed after it. His daughter, An, dreams of being the best queen possible! And she’s very public about it, as well.
The Southernmost Vivid kingdom belongs to the Azusawas, who were there for the land and power, not the music. However, their daughter, Kohane, does seem to be very interested in the music of the land… and may just rebel against her parents to pursue it.
Finally, the Wonder kingdoms of the South. Colourful, cheerful, and warm, they’re everyone’s idea of a vacation spot.
The Northernmost Wonder kingdom is the domain of the Kusanagis, quiet and reserved as they are, their daughter (Nene) seems a bit too adventurous for her own good. Lady Emu Otori of the Northern Wonder kingdom seems to be heavily encouraging this.
Finally, the Kamishiros rule the Southernmost Wonder kingdom, Prince Rui Kamishiro being the most notable. He’s odd, said to be a bit eccentric, and never goes anywhere without wearing a white masquerade mask. It’s also rumoured that he practices alchemy in his free time, but that’s just a rumour.
And… those are the fourteen kingdoms. Wait, what do you mean that was only thirteen? Then… what’s the fourteenth?