Zen Wistaria is characterized by his easygoing and approachable nature, making him someone who is easy to get along with, despite his royal status. As the second prince of Clarines, Zen carries a deep sense of responsibility and devotion to his country, while also forging genuine bonds with those around him. He treats his aides, servants, and guards as friends, showing them the same respect and loyalty he expects in return.

Zen especially cares for Shirayuki, having shown unwavering concern for her well-being since the moment they met. He does not hesitate to go to great lengths to protect her, even putting himself in danger to rescue her during kidnappings or threats. His commitment to her is both emotional and personal, growing into a deep romantic love that shapes his development throughout the story.

Although he occasionally sneaks out of the castle, sometimes causing delays in his duties, Zen never loses sight of his role as a prince. As Shirayuki once noted, he is constantly thinking about what he can do for his country, balancing his personal desires with his royal obligations. While Zen rarely displays extreme emotions such as rage or sorrow, he becomes serious and focused when his friends or loved ones are at risk.

With Shirayuki, Zen shows a more vulnerable and human side he can become embarrassed or even slightly jealous, especially when she works closely with other young men. Despite these feelings, he is always respectful and open about his emotions. Zen also enjoys visiting the forest near the kingdom, which serves as a peaceful escape from the expectations of royalty. In one conversation with Shirayuki, he reveals how much her presence has changed him, saying, “But it’s different now, since you’re here, that’s all I need.”

Overall, Zen is a trustworthy, sincere, and dependable individual. He earns people’s trust through his honesty, integrity, and genuine belief in others. His ability to lead with both strength and compassion makes him a respected figure not only in Clarines but also among the people closest to him.

Zen Wistaria has medium-length silver-blonde hair depicted as white in the anime with bangs that fall just past his eyebrows. The hairstyle is layered, being shorter beneath the ears and longer on top, and has remained relatively consistent since his childhood, with only slight stylistic variations. His crystal blue eyes are one of his most striking features, often noted by others Obi has referred to them both jokingly and sincerely as “pretty,” and Shirayuki has also complimented their beauty.

Physically, Zen is of average height, though he is occasionally teased about it particularly by Mitsuhide, since most of the men around Zen tend to be taller. Despite this, Zen carries himself with confidence and poise fitting of his royal status.

When off-duty, Zen is typically seen in casual but well-tailored clothing, often opting for a dark-colored top paired with light-colored trousers. During official engagements or when within the palace, he wears formal attire appropriate for a prince, adorned with the royal crest. Whether sneaking out or performing his royal duties, Zen is rarely seen without his sword and distinctive ‘royal blue’ glove, which he wears on his left hand. The glove covers his palm and middle finger, serving as a recognizable symbol of his identity and readiness.

When Zen Wistaria was 13 years old, his older brother Izana appointed Mitsuhide as his official aide, believing Zen was entering a rebellious phase that needed careful supervision. Initially, Zen resented the idea of having someone follow him around and made it clear by being cold and distant toward Mitsuhide. He avoided sharing information with him and often ran off to escape his presence. In public, however, Zen would put on a polite and composed front, even introducing Mitsuhide as a trusted companion though this was merely a ruse to get him to escort someone else, Mikage, to Izana.

Afterward, Zen left to meet his only friend at the time, a boy named Atri. During their encounter, Mitsuhide found and called out to Zen, prompting a conversation in which Zen insisted on referring to Mitsuhide as nothing more than his assistant. Mitsuhide gently responded, asking Zen not to use such cold words, and Zen apologized marking a small step in their developing bond. Mitsuhide later began training Zen in swordsmanship, though Zen struggled to keep up, frustrated by his inability to surpass Mitsuhide.

Zen continued to sneak out to meet Atri, who eventually told him they could no longer meet during the day due to a change in his schedule. Undeterred, Zen insisted he would still find a way to visit. On one of these outings, Zen found Atri wounded, and in his panic, questioned what had happened. A group of men appeared, attacking Zen, and Mitsuhide quickly arrived to protect him followed by Izana.

Confronted, Atri confessed that he had only befriended Zen out of revenge, aiming to take advantage of his trust. When Atri attempted to shoot an arrow at Zen, Mitsuhide intervened, slicing the arrow mid-release. The encounter ended with Mitsuhide fatally wounding Atri, who, in his final moments, bitterly told Zen that it would have been better if he had never been born a prince.

Atri’s betrayal and death left a deep emotional scar on Zen. While he was visibly shaken, Mitsuhide comforted him, and the incident served as the foundation for their true friendship. A month later, the two reflected on the experience, with Mitsuhide noting that Zen had begun to mature, even if he still retained his generally positive outlook. In a heartfelt moment, Mitsuhide formally asked Zen to allow him to protect him moving forward, and Zen accepted, cementing their bond as both prince and protector, and as trusted friends.

Shirayuki
Zen’s relationship with Shirayuki begins when he unexpectedly encounters her in the forest while sneaking away from the castle. As he leaps over a wall, he is distracted by her sudden presence and lands poorly, injuring his arm. When Shirayuki offers to treat his wound, Zen responds with caution, suspecting that her medicine might be poison. In response to his distrust, Shirayuki deliberately injures her own arm with his scabbard and applies the medicine to herself, stating, “Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t carry poisons around with me.” Her boldness and sincerity impress Zen, who laughs and accepts her help, marking the start of their deepening bond.

Their relationship evolves from mutual respect and admiration to romantic love, with both characters encouraging each other’s growth. Despite the obstacles posed by their different social statuses, Zen and Shirayuki support one another through challenges, protect each other in times of danger, and ultimately commit to a long-distance relationship while working toward their shared future.

Zen Wistaria
Izana, Zen’s older brother and the current king of Clarines, shares a complex and often strained relationship with Zen. In his childhood, Zen admired Izana and wished to emulate him, but as he matured, he came to recognize his brother’s manipulative and calculating nature. Izana tends to observe from the shadows, preferring indirect control, while Zen values honest, open dialogue and fairness in leadership.

Izana’s interference in Zen’s relationship with Shirayuki often testing or complicating their bond has been a source of frustration for Zen. Despite this, Zen continues to respect Izana’s authority and leadership. Over time, particularly after Izana began to acknowledge Shirayuki, the emotional distance between the brothers has started to narrow, and their interactions have grown less hostile and more cooperative.

Mitsuhide
Mitsuhide is Zen’s closest aide and most trusted friend. Their relationship had a rocky start—when Mitsuhide was first assigned to Zen by Izana, Zen was cold and dismissive, frequently ignoring his concerns. Zen also used the fact that Mitsuhide originally wanted to serve Izana as a way to distance himself emotionally.

Over time, however, a deep bond formed between them. Mitsuhide proved himself as a loyal and selfless companion, earning Zen’s complete trust. He is often described as the only person Zen consistently listens to, and their friendship is built on a foundation of mutual respect, loyalty, and shared experiences. Mitsuhide not only supports Zen in his royal duties but also offers him personal advice, particularly regarding his relationship with Shirayuki.