Kana Yuki – illustratör

In a kingdom inspired by historical China, five clans put forth their maidens as imperial consorts--but only one will be crowned empress. The frail and beautiful Kou Reirin, the so-called 'butterfly' of the imperial court, is a shoo-in to marry the crown prince. But when 'court rat' Shu Keigetsu lashes out at her during the glittering Lantern Festival, it's Reirin who wakes up in the dungeons! Body-swapped by her assailant to steal her position at court, Reirin's plight seems dire...to everyone else! Now that she's got a robust new body, not even the looming threat of execution can stop her!

After staving off sabotage during the Congee Conferment Rite, Kou Reirin and Shu Keigetsu have successfully turned the tables on the emperor’s assassin. Their former adversary - now accomplice - sheds some light on Emperor Genyou’s past, giving our heroes the context they need to plot their counterattack! It all comes down to the body-swapping spell and a fateful confrontation from twenty-five years ago. Reirin won’t rest until the ultimate sovereign gives Keigetsu and her forbidden magic his blessing!

COOKING UP NEW SCHEMES!Having learned that the emperor is rooting out forbidden magic, Shu Keigetsu and Kou Reirin return to the palace with the body swap still in place. Their next idea is to undo the switch during the Repose of Souls—until the emperor foils their plans yet again! He sends the Maidens to the kingdom's border to dish out food on a charity mission. Moreover, Reirin is assigned a particularly inhospitable area far from Keigetsu and the others! Can the girls make it through this ordeal without falling back on Keigetsu’s magic?

In a kingdom inspired by historical China, five clans put forth their maidens as imperial consorts - but only one will be crowned empress. The frail and beautiful Kou Reirin, the so-called 'butterfly' of the imperial court, is a shoo-in to marry the crown prince. But when 'court rat' Shu Keigetsu lashes out at her during the glittering Lantern Festival, it's Reirin who wakes up in the dungeons! Body-swapped by her assailant to steal her position at court, Reirin's plight seems dire... to everyone else! Now that she's got a robust new body, not even the looming threat of execution can stop her!

SWAP TILL YOU DROP!The Rite of Reverence has ended, yet Prince Gyoumei warns Kou Reirin not to undo the body swap in the Maiden Court—lest the emperor discover Shu Keigetsu's forbidden magic! Unwilling to take chances, Reirin and friends split up, promising to rendezvous in the city and reverse the switch. While each team finds a way to spend their day at the market, there are kidnappings, theft, and thuggery afoot...and our heroes won't let such crimes go unpunished! Can they trounce the bad guys and still assemble at the appointed hour?

MORE TWISTS AND TURNS IN THE KIN DOMAIN!Kou Reirin, Shu Keigetsu, and Kin Seika have pulled off their grand welcome for Prince Nadir and overcome an overdose scare with a well-timed body swap. With the immediate danger past, the Maidens spring into action, infiltrating the brothel involved in the drug trade to nail down proof of their crimes. Yet when the girls come face-to-face with the brothel’s highest-ranking courtesan, the so-called “heavenbloom,” her true identity has them reeling—Seika most of all!

SUNSHINE, SEA BREEZE, AND SCHEMES APLENTY!On the shores of the Kin domain sits a grand port city, a trove of treasures and delicacies from all over the continent. When the prince of a neighboring kingdom drops in for a visit, it's up to Kou Reirin, Shu Keigetsu, and Kin Seika to welcome him. Unfortunately for the girls, the flamboyant, prodigal Prince Nadir stubbornly stymies every aspect of their hospitality. Never one to let a slight against her friends stand, Reirin prepares to strike back. Little does she know that a greater conspiracy is unfolding behind the scenes!

UNUSUAL SUSPECTSJust when Kou Reirin has gotten the dysentery outbreak in the Untouchable Village under control, the village chief mysteriously shows up on death’s door. Reirin fights tooth and nail to keep her new friend alive—but it might not be enough to get him through the night. Meanwhile, Shu Keigetsu is all fired up and ready to get her tea party for the Maidens underway. Now that the outwardly meek Ran Houshun has shown her true colors, it’s time to best her in a game of psychological warfare!

Three months have passed since the Harvest Festival, and the five Maidens now face the Rite of Reverence - the test that will set their hierarchy in stone. The pressure is on, and each girl has her own inner demons to contest with! Unconcerned with the rankings, Kou Reirin supports her nervous wreck of a friend, Shu Keigetsu... until the two get into a knock-down, drag-out fight! To make matters worse, an unknown force is out to sabotage Reirin. Does the indomitable Kou Maiden finally have her back to the wall?!

REAP WHAT YOU SOWThe site of this year’s Harvest Festival has been decided—and it’s the domain of the Maiden Court’s most reviled villainess, Shu Keigetsu! Down a guardian to show her the ropes, she puts her nose to the grindstone to ensure the ceremony will go off without a hitch. But when an unknown force sabotages the proceedings, Keigetsu’s fraught emotions send her powers spiraling out of control, sparking a second swap with Reirin! Amid all the chaos, villagers come to abduct “Keigetsu”…but will they get more than they bargained for?