Let's begin!
Coronation
We find out who the "she" that Izana and Zen mentioned in volume 11. I was right on her title, but I was wrong on her relationship to the boys. Izana and Zen had a lovely for them heart-to-heart chat. I will discuss this more on how it relates to a different topic. The pages that cover the coronation were beautiful! There were these two panels where Izana and Zen looked at each other that was just so beautiful, pure, warm, and touching. There was also an "introduction" to another character. The reason for quotations is we get a name, but there was no formal introduction or special buildup. This character just appeared, but it seems like this character will be very relevant to Izana.
King Izana: Villain, Antihero, Hero, or Annoying Sage?
We have seen Izana throughout the series. At times, he seems antagonistic, but in other times he seems to side with Zen and Shirayuki. So what is he in terms of archetypes? According to Literary Terms.net, a villain is someone who causes diabolical schemes that causes harm or ruin. This seems to be Izana in the scene about the lords who were causing problems for the kingdom, but Izana did not let that hurt the people under the lords. He never spent the money that they gave to him. That does not sound like a villain.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an antihero is a protagonist who lacks the heroic qualities of the protagonist. Wikipedia defines those qualities as idealism, courage, and morality and also says an antihero does moral things for the wrong or selfish reasons. From what I can tell, Izana does not act for his own interests. Everything is in the name of the kingdom, which makes his actions toward Zen and Shirayuki a little bit more palatable.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a hero is the principal character of a piece of work or someone admired for achievements or noble qualities. While Izana does not fulfill the first definition, he does satisfied the second. It was mentioned in this volume that Izana was viewed as a monarch before he was the King.
The annoying sage is archetype that I slightly made up. It is a wise person that seems to know things and helps the character in the most indirect ways. They say something thoughtful or wise then they vanish. This is seen in Yoda from Star Wars, Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda, Benjamin Franklin from 1776, Jiraiya from Naruto, etc. Izana seems to have this role for me. He seems to have this master plan, but he doesn't tell anyone about it. For me, this is how Prince Izana acts. In his heart-to-heart with Zen, there was a flashback that showed Izana talking to a young Zen and Izana's response about Zen's skill just said annoying sage to me. His sage tendencies is shown when he is with you Zen and Shirayuki. Also Izana said something to Zen that seems to hint that he stands with Zen. I think he has a grand plan that will not only satisfy his passion for keeping the kingdom safe, but will also satisfy Zen and Shirayuki's plans.
Plot Twist
There was a plot development with Shirayuki catalyzed by Izana. While it may seem malicious, I do not think it was. Why grant Zen's request in the previous volume, if he would eventually do this? I think this is all part of a plan that will make all parties please, but I think it maybe rough in the middle.
Last Page
What?! I totally agree with Zen's face on this one.
Verdict: I cannot wait for the next volume!