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- "Kai and Torin watched as the emperor sank into a motionless sleep. Like watching a stranger. Kai loved him but couldn't quite connect the sick man before him with the vibrant father he'd had a week ago."
- ―Kai about Rikan
Rikan is a minor character in The Lunar Chronicles. He primarily only appears in Cinder, but is mentioned later on in passing, usually by Kai or Torin. He was the former emperor of the Eastern Commonwealth before he passed away of letumosis, leaving his only son and child to be the next ruler.
History[]
Pre-Series[]
Rikan was the emperor of the Eastern Commonwealth and lived in New Beijing Palace with his unnamed wife and child, Prince Kaito. He was presumed to be a good ruler though he was known to have passed and subsequently agreed to the Cyborg Protection Act as proposed by Dr. Erland. Regardless, the people of the Commonwealth viewed him as capable, strong and determined, considering he was able to ward off Levana and her threats of war against Earth for so long.
Fairest[]
His wife likewise passed away from letumosis after a philanthropic trip to the western areas of the Commonwealth (being the present day Middle East). In Fairest, he appears on the newsfeeds on Luna, standing at a podium with the flag of the Commonwealth behind him, looking absolutely miserable and holding a press conference to announce to the world of her very death. He was clearly stricken with her passing and was never quite the same after the fact and despite her contracting the disease when Kai was only ten, he did his best to raise him on his own, ensuring that he instilled within him leadership skills, a sense of morality and a knack for international affairs.
Recent Events[]
Cinder[]
Like his wife who passed before him, Rikan was sick with the plague, Letumosis, and passed away the night after Cinder left the palace. Dr. Erland told Cinder that the emperor would be the first person to take the antidote once one was found. However, after the emperor died, Queen Levana came to Earth to give her condolences to the emperor's son, Kai, then showing him that she had a cure to the plague all along, enraging Kai. The queen gave Kai the antidote who then gave it to Dr. Erland. Since the emperor had died, the doctor gave Cinder the antidote for her sick stepsister, Peony. As Cinder made it to the quarantines, it was too late and Peony died in her arms.
Cinder then spotted Sunto, Chang Sacha's son, who was also infected with Letumosis. Cinder gave Sunto the antidote and news of the child who recovered from the plague spread.
Characteristics[]
Physical Attributes[]
Rikan was described by Channary in Fairest as being "handsome, broad-shouldered and a smart dresser though a little bland."[1] Rikan was presumed to be exceedingly handsome considering his son being Kaito and the royal family in general being known for their good looks.
Personality[]
Rikan was a great father and leader, according to not only Kai and Torin, but the people of the Commonwealth as well. He was known to put his people first above all else as he deeply cared for the country he was entrusted to take care of. He likewise had a similar sense of humor to Kai as he wheezed a small chuckle when Kai suggested an Escort5.3 during the peak of his illness and subseuqent battle with letumosis.
Relationships[]
Kai[]
Kai was his only child and son. He loved him deeply, not only because he would solely leave his entire empire to him and him alone, but also because they had an extremely strong bond. Kai cared for and loved him as well, considering just how damning and heartbreaking his death was for him. He took it hard, devestated over the fact that his father would no longer be able to protect him, guide him, or serve his country ever again. Cinder even notes his bloodshot eyes following his death as a result of him crying. In the end though, Kai accepts his passing and uses him as an ideal emperor, rolemodel and individual - kind and selfless, but strong and resilient when needed.
Trivia[]
- Rikan is the romanization of the Japanese word, 罹患, which means "contracting a disease." The name is applicable as he suffered from a disease since the moment he was introduced.
- He's broad-shouldered & a smart dresser (according to Queen Channary).
- He was unsure about the cyborg draft, but Dr. Erland convinced him.
- Rikan was very close to his son, Kaito.
- He was much younger than most of the Earthen leaders.
- His office apparrently smelled of the aftershave he used. This smell, seemingly nostalgic and comforting to Kai, was later removed entirely after his office was cleaned by palace staff to be used by his son.
- He passed away in the middle of the night and, as a result, Kai was unable to be with him in his final moments - only just arriving after the med-droids pulled the white sheet over him.
- In Cinder's Adventure: Take Me to The Wedding, Cinder and Kai's four-year-old son is named after him.
Family Tree[]
Eastern Commonwealth Royalty[]
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