Ekin Samyeli

"I'm aware you have no need for a sword, but at the very least let me be your shield."

Ekin Samyeli

(She/Her) Queer - half Nifer half Print

Ekin is a young knight that serves as Princess Dere's champion under the rule of Queen Okyanus and eventually inherits half of the throne in Dere's.

Physical Description

Ekin naturally takes up a lot of space, being tall and muscular as expected of a knight while having round features from a layer of chubbiness. She has blonde, mane-like fluffy hair that's almost never tied up unless she has to wear a helmet. She wears a small braid on the left side of her hair because of a Print custom about love until Dere unbraids it for her when their relationship becomes serious. Her eyes are light brown and she has multiple scars on her body and face thanks to years of fighting.

Personality

Ekin doesn't think too often or deeply, choosing to focus on more mundane and daily aspects of her life. She tries to stay respectful towards everyone, but treats those that have an equal or lower rank to her more bluntly. Although Ekin is good at staying levelheaded when it comes to her job as a knight, she gets nervous easily in more personal situations like relationships. Ekin is not only stubborn but also gets angry easily and isn't afraid to raise her voice. In general, Ekin is very expressive of her emotions.

She sees herself as pretty ordinary, even feeling inadequate and insecure next to Dere because of their class difference and previous experiences with Şan. Over time, she learns to be more carefree and confident in herself.

RELATIONSHIPS//

Linden, Alaz and Nicoy: All very good friends of Ekin and the people she spends a lot of time around.

(Visit each character's separate profile to read more about their relationship with Ekin)

Princess Dere: After saving the life of Queen Okyanus by pure chance when she has a chicken bone stuck in her throat on a night Ekin is on patrol, the knight is promoted to become Princess Dere's personal knight. Dere takes to this very badly, treating Ekin very rudely on their first day and not even letting her finish her food. Ekin chooses to stay silent out of fear and respect, but starts to get angry at Dere's attitude as she thinks the princess is all bark and no bite. Noticing Ekin's silent thoughts, Dere challenges her to a friendly duel. Ekin accepts, wanting to teach the bratty princess a lesson, but looses in a matter of seconds as Dere is one of the best people with a sword in the kingdom. Ekin gains a lot of respect for Dere's skill, and starts trying to get closer to the princess, developing a crush on her after the fight.

Dere warms up to and becomes friends with Ekin over time, showing the knight a vulnerable side of herself she doesn't show to anyone else. Eventually both of them develop feelings for the other, but the relationship becomes complicated after a minor fight and the appearance of Şan. Eventually Dere chooses Ekin over Şan, and the two get more serious with each other.

Dame Şan: When Ekin goes back to Dere to apologize and to accept the offer of becoming her champion in the upcoming tournament, she finds out that the role had been taken by Şan in her absence. Şan terrifies Ekin, yet her want to protect Dere wins against her fear. Ekin joins the tournament independently with the sole purpose of winning against Şan, managing to hold her own thanks to her previous lessons with the princess herself. Yet when the time to face Şan directly comes, the friendly duel turns into a fight for her life. Ekin loses against Şan badly, but gets saved by Dere.

Years later, Şan still haunts Ekin in her sleep, making her wake up gasping from nightmares.

Lady Anemone: In the days leading up to Anemone's arrival, Ekin finds Dere's excitement very endearing. She wishes to make a good impression on the foreign lady but things get harder for her once they get to meet. Ekin finds herself stuttering around Anemone not just because she finds her pretty, but also because she is aware of how much this means to Dere and desperately wants to make her happy. Not only that, when it comes to chatting Anemone runs mental circles around Ekin like a galloping deer while the knight feels more like a newboarn foal. Still, she finds herself enjoying Anemone's unique company from a respectful distance.

When Anemone eventually offers Ekin a place in her harem, the knight gently turns her down. She is incredibly flattered by the offer but her heart belongs to Dere and her place is next to the princess. While Anemone doesn't seem dissapointed by her answer at all, Ekin feels nervous and immediately shares what happened with Dere. She doesn't realize that the offer had been a test until Dere explains it for her, and after that she finds what becomes a running joke between her and Anemone more humorous.

Trivia

Ekin loves honey and eats spoonfuls straight from the jar on days she feels bad.

While she'd never admit it in fear of sounding dumb, Ekin is deeply superstitious.

Ekin likes dogs and tries to spare a bite of her food for any dogs nearby, but she isn't likely to get one for herself. She thinks its too much work and doesn't want an animal in her house.

She finds the repeating motions of cleaning her equipment soothing and has the belief that battles are more likely to be in her favour if she cleans her armour and sword beforehand.