Mikado no Shihou

During the Shou Dynasty, a period defined by devastating famine and widespread suffering, a young woman named Kouran lives in an impoverished village unable to meet its crushing tax obligations. Driven by desperation to save her home, she infiltrates the imperial palace with the intention of stealing its treasures. Within the palace walls, she unexpectedly encounters a handsome young man named Shiki, leading to a brief but memorable interaction before she escapes. The following day, reports spread across the nation that a prince has been assassinated and the culprit has fled the scene. Kouran immediately suspects that the enigmatic Shiki is the murderer responsible for the royal death, yet her conviction is shaken by his apparent sincerity and gentle nature. This contradiction between his suspected violent crime and his genuine kindness leaves her deeply perplexed, forcing her to question her assumptions as political turmoil engulfs the starving dynasty.