1. Fujiwara Ryoko (Sarasoju), daughter of the top-ranking Fujiwara family, accidentally switches identities with her younger brother, Fujiwara Gekko (Suiren), and enters the imperial court. Brilliant and dazzling, she draws the suspicion of Consort Meihu, who suspects in secret that she is a woman. Consort Meihu sets a malicious trap and forces her to marry Yotsuhime, the fourth daughter of the right minister's family.
Yotsuhime was once a candidate for the position of empress consort, but an accident ended her path to the palace. Deeply insecure, she planned to live a cold and indifferent life after marriage. But day after day, her husband treats her with warmth and tenderness, gradually breaking through her frozen heart. Their feelings grow stronger, yet they never share a single intimate moment. One night, unable to restrain herself, Yotsuhime pushes her spouse down and discovers the shocking secret this perfect nobleman, famous throughout the capital, has kept for years.
2. Returning from a night watch, Sarasoju finds the opposite room unusually quiet. The maid who usually stands guard at the door is nowhere to be seen.
Thinking nothing of it, she quietly takes off her outer robe, careful not to disturb her wife's sleep, only for her wife to push her down onto the bed.
Sarasoju: "Actually, I'm a woman!"
Yotsuhime smiles. "That makes no difference."
Note: The secondary couple is a man-woman pairing.
A talented and innocent young woman x a cool, warm-hearted guiding woman
The original story is set in Japan's Heian period, so some ideas may not align well with modern values. I'll try to revise them, but some things will probably remain unchanged for the sake of the plot.
This story was inspired by Torikaebaya Monogatari. Since the original story lacked a certain degree of plot, I ultimately chose to use Chie Saito's Ryuuho Gyakuten as the basis for this derivative work. If you're interested, you can read the original. The original plot is mostly followed at first to make things easier to understand, and the story becomes more original after Yotsuhime appears.
Theme: Take responsibility and stay true to your original intentions.
It's so beautiful. 🥺 I'll look for the original work another day.