Aylin

Aylin (愛凛 (アイリーン) , Airīn^?) is a recurring character in The Apothecary Diaries series. She was previously an envoy of the Country of Shaoh along with her cousin Ayla, before becoming a consort.

Appearance

Aylin is a tall beautiful woman with golden hair, blue eyes, and a well endowed physique who greatly resembles Ayla, despite being cousins. During her diplomatic mission to Li and at the Western Capital banquet, Aylin wore a western dress with a blue hair accessory. In her time as a consort, Aylin wore a Linese outfit. Her smile reminds Maomao of Gyokuyou's ever-present smile.^[2]

Personality

Of the two envoys, Aylin is the more calm and mature of the pair and sometimes needs to rein in Ayla. After being ousted from Shaoh, she readily adapted to living in Li. Aylin was also quite selfless, being willing to be blamed for the shrine maiden's death.

Abilities

Diplomacy: Aylin represented Shaoh as one of its envoys and bargained with Lahan to provide her country with food. Her plan to become a consort was also seen as politically beneficial for Li.^[3]

Background

Aylin and Ayla once served as apprentice shrine maidens to the Shrine Maiden of Shaoh, and received an education from her.^[3]

They both came to Li as envoys on a diplomatic mission to discuss trade with Shaoh. During a banquet that was held to welcome them, Aylin stopped her cousin from her attempts at flirting with the Emperor, and convinced her to go back inside their carriage. She later watched the moon spirit performance that her great-grandfather had witnessed several decades ago.^[4]

Aylin was present at the banquet held in honor of the Moon Prince at the western capital, where she privately spoke with Lahan and Maomao about possibly importing food to Shaoh, anticipating an insect plague from Hokuaren. She also asked to be considered for asylum in the event that her trade agreement did not work out.^[2]

After the White Lady was arrested in Li, Aylin requested custody of her, and suggested that she become a consort as part of her political asylum plan.^[5]

Aylin was later admitted to the rear palace as a middle consort with Lahan's help, fleeing from a political battle with Ayla.^[6] She offered Maomao, Yao, and En'en some baked treats during Luomen's medical checkup, which contained paper written with Shaohnese letters. After solving the riddle, they decided to work with her to take care of the Shrine Maiden of Shaoh, who arrived in Li for medical treatment. Aylin attended the banquet for the Crown Prince's debut, with the shrine maiden also present. When the shrine maiden and her food tasters were poisoned, Aylin was the primary suspect due to the incense powder found in her room. She then confessed to poisoning the shrine maiden, under the motive of having a grudge against her.^[7] Even after it was determined that Aylin was helping the shrine maiden cover up her secret, she remained a criminal.

Trivia

• Her name means "moon halo" or "the one that belongs to the moon" in Turkish.

References