Minato Minazuki
The Gentle Tide

Age: 26

Position: Heir of House Minazuki

If his younger brother is the smiling face of Minazuki...

Minato is the hand that quietly keeps it together.

He knows the price of rice before the merchants do.

He remembers which fishing village lost boats during the last storm.

He notices when a clerk has been working too late.

He reads every report.

Signs every document carefully.

And somehow remembers the name of every person behind the ink on the page.

The people often joke:

"If you have a problem, find Lord Kaito."

"If you need a solution... wait for Lord Minato."

He dislikes unnecessary conflict.

Believes every disagreement deserves to be heard.

And would much rather settle an argument over a warm cup of tea than with raised voices.

His greatest talent is making people feel listened to.

His greatest weakness...

Is women.

He can negotiate with foreign ambassadors without the slightest hesitation.

Yet one sincere smile from a young lady is enough to make him completely forget what he intended to say.

His mother has shown him countless portraits of noble daughters over the years.

All beautiful.

All accomplished.

All perfect.

To Minato...

They were simply names attached to paintings.

Until one merchant fleet returned to Minazuki as it always had.

And among the familiar faces greeting the harbor...

He finally noticed someone who had quietly been part of it all along.

Not because she was extraordinary.

But because, somehow...

The harbor didn't quite feel complete unless she was there.