Mayu Kir-Kaat is a member of Princess Ehri's Tavgharad, a force of highly trained female bodyguards. She posed as Ehri to get close to Nikolai Lantsov (actually Isaak Andreyev) and attempted to assassinate him.
Biography[]
Mayu and her brother, Reyem Yul-Kaat, were born in the town of Nehlu. Their mother was a teacher and taught them to eliminate their country accent so they would have every possible advantage. Mayu and Reyem often sparred as children, and despite Mayu always being the lesser fighter, they had a very close relationship as kebben.
When Mayu saw an advertisement to join the Tavgharad, she decided to try out and was taken to Ahmrat Jen to train. She later reunited with Reyem and encouraged him to put more effort into his military work, leading to him being chosen for the khergud program. Makhi Kir-Taban used this to her advantage when she asked Mayu to be part of her plan—claiming that the soldier would be able to save her brother.[1]
King of Scars[]
A representative from the Shu royal family is invited to Nikolai Lantsov's party in Ravka, and Princess Ehri is selected. However, Mayu plays the role of the princess while Ehri pretends to be Mayu in the Tavgharad. When she first meets Nikolai (actually Isaak Andreyev), Mayu is slightly shaking and afraid.
Later, Tolya Yul-Bataar leads Isaak to the conservatory of the Grand Palace, where Mayu is seated by the ponds. She had been waiting for over two hours. Mayu tells him that she must be seen to be making an effort to seduce the king of Ravka, or Queen Mahki would be upset. Believing her to be Ehri, Isaak asks for her honest feelings about her role as a princess and her life goals; Mayu responds that her dream would be to join the Tavgharad and that she dislikes the lack of freedom afforded to princesses. She claims to be an avid collector of axes and tells Isaak about the Tavgharad. They discuss the lives of twins and the Shu poem "Kebben’a". They continue to converse about the freedom of guards' lives compared to royals' until other people arrive in the conservatory.
Another day, Isaak and Mayu meet in the portrait gallery. Isaak invites her, along with her Tavgharad entourage, to the training rooms. To draw attention away from Tamar Kir-Bataar's fight with Ehri-as-Mayu, Isaak invites Mayu-as-Ehri to spar with him. Mayu claims she has little fighting talent, but quickly disarms Isaak with her practice sword. When Tamar accidentally hurts Ehri, Mayu steps in, emphasizing that it was unintentional. After agreeing to a private dinner between the Shu and Ravkan royalty, Mayu and her guards depart.
Mayu meets Isaak in the woods on the island at the center of the lake for dinner. They discuss the rulership of their respective countries and speculate on a world where they are not tied by duty. Isaak invites her to meet him alone in secret during the final ball, and Mayu says yes.
On the night of the final ball, Isaak meets Mayu in the conservatory. Isaak tells her that he loves her; Mayu tells him that she would love him even if he were not a king. Crying, she drives a dagger into his chest, kisses Isaak, then stabs her own heart. "Due to luck or a lack of follow-through," the dagger lands half an inch to the right of her heart, allowing Mayu to survive. Tamar uses her Heartrender abilities to restore Mayu's pulse and stabilize her until Healers can further help. Mayu is kept under heavy guard at the Little Palace, tended to by Healers.[2]
Rule of Wolves[]
Mayu is restrained in a cell-like room and separated from Ehri on Nikolai's orders, kept from returning to her full health due to the threat she poses. After Ehri's Tavgharad burst into flame in front of her as part of an assassination attempt, Nikolai shows Mayu the message they received. Mayu is taken to meet Ehri in the infirmary and explains the code; afterward, Ehri apologizes to Mayu for what she was asked to do. Nikolai then tells Mayu that her brother, Reyem, has been found, and the Healers restore Mayu's strength.[3]
Tamar takes Mayu and Ehri back to Ahmrat Jen after Queen Mahki leaves for the wedding in Ravka.[4] They land in the fields outside the palace, and Tamar hands Mayu a traditional Tavgharad sword. Mayu gives her testimony to Makhi's ministers. In the morning, the three women return to the palace, and Mayu follows as Ehri meets with the queen.[1]
Later, they travel to the khergud laboratories. Mayu finds Reyem after Ehri persuades the doctor to let them see the khergud, but Makhi interrupts them. She wakes up Reyem, who breaks Mayu's hand, not realizing who she is.[5] Bergin returns Reyem to his normal state of mind. The twins embrace, and Leyti Kir-Taban arrives to assert her right as Taban queen.[6]
In the summer palace, Mayu tells Leyti her story, but is angered to hear that Makhi will go unpunished.[7] Mayu then returns to Ravka with Tamar and the khergud, including Reyem. Reyem tries to take Mayu to safety, but she urges him to fight.[8] After the war, Mayu attends Zoya Nazyalensky's coronation with Ehri and they embrace Nikolai.[9]
Personality and traits[]
Mayu greatly values her family, and expresses sadness at the possibility of never being reunited with them again.[10] She cares little for pretense; while pretending to be Ehri, she tries to be careful with her words, but often says blunt and un-princess-like things. While playing the role of Ehri, Mayu is afraid of misstepping. She is uncomfortable with royal behavior[11] and often regrets her honest words.[12] She is down to earth and focused on wanting what is best for her country, even if she must kill or die for it.[13] Mayu always follows instructions and loves praise.[1]
Her wish for the world is "an end to war. A chance for the common people to choose their own futures. A world in which families aren’t torn apart by hardship … or duty."[10]
Physical description[]
Mayu is young, strong, and very beautiful. When she is posing as Ehri, Isaak notes that she is much prettier than he had heard the Shu princess to be.[12] Mayu has long, dark hair,[11] and the golden eyes typical of the Shu.[10] Her pads of her palms are calloused from years of fighting and training.[2]
As Princess Ehri, she dressed in green silks, sometimes embroidered with silver leaves[11] or falcons.[13] Her hair featured jeweled emerald combs[11][13] or decorated with flowers,[12] or she wore a heavy, elaborate gold headdress studded with massive emeralds.[10]
Skills and abilities[]
Mayu is a talented swordswoman and fighter, as would be expected for someone in her position as a bodyguard. She also demonstrates knowledge of classic Shu poetry when she recites "Kebben'a".[12]
Relationships[]
Reyem Yul-Kaat[]
Reyem is her twin brother. Mayu volunteered to be a part of the plot against Nikolai in the hopes that it would save her brother from the khergud program. She is focused on protecting her brother, even if it doesn't make her happy, and is willing to kill herself for Reyem's sake.
Isaak Andreyev[]
Mayu reciprocated Isaak's feelings for her at the end of King of Scars, and felt guilt about killing him.
Appearances[]
Etymology[]
- Mayu is a feminine name in Japanese. It is commonly written 真由 (true reason), 真夕 (true evening), 真優 (true excellent grace), or 茉優 (graceful jasmine).
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Rule of Wolves, chapter 19
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 King of Scars, chapter 39
- ↑ Rule of Wolves, chapter 12
- ↑ Rule of Wolves, chapter 15
- ↑ Rule of Wolves, chapter 24
- ↑ Rule of Wolves, chapter 29
- ↑ Rule of Wolves, chapter 32
- ↑ Rule of Wolves, chapter 40
- ↑ Rule of Wolves, chapter 49
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 King of Scars, chapter 29
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 King of Scars, chapter 21
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 King of Scars, chapter 23
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 King of Scars, chapter 37