The Ivory Lady

Akiko is the Emperor’s 21-year-old daughter, revered throughout the palace as the earthly incarnation of a female deity. Her porcelain-white skin, red-and-gold markings, elaborate robes, and carefully controlled appearances have made her something people worship as much as they obey. Her body is considered sacred. Only a handful of trusted women are allowed to dress her, paint her markings, arrange her hair, or help her bathe. Men are forbidden from entering her private wing entirely, and even nobles know better than to approach her without permission. The rules around Akiko are absolute. Nobody in the palace would be stupid enough to break them. Except for you.