Mariam Phutapie

"I am one of the Three Heroes, Mariam Futapie! Lucifenian soldiers! Show me your loyalty!"

- Mariam Futapie

Mariam Futapie is the Head of Maids and one of the Three Heroes of the Kingdom of Lucifenia. An expert in espionage and assassination, Mariam imparted all she knew to her foster daughter, Ney, and acted as one of Princess Riliane's most loyal followers.

Early Life
Born in EC 468 to Head of Intelligence Futapie, Mariam enlisted in the Asmodean military at a young age, becoming part of Silver Sparrow Unit. Excelling in her abilities, she attained the rank of general by the age of nine. In EC 477, Mariam and her unit were assigned as the vanguard of Golden Dragon Unit for the invasion of the Kingdom of Lucifenia through the Babul Desert. While heading to their assigned location, Mariam betrayed her unit and rebelled before fleeing to Lucifenia.

After she joined the Lucifenian ranks, Mariam served as a subordinate to King Arth and Queen Anne, fighting alongside Leonhart Avadonia and later Elluka Clockworker during the Lucifenian Expansion War. During the war, she encountered Gast Venom, a mercenary and former soldier of Asmodean and they became acquainted. At some point, he told Mariam about his sister's death and explained his desire to fight as a mercenary because it was all he knew. Around this time, she met the local blacksmith of the Langley family and visited him whenever she needed her weapons repaired. By EC 490, Mariam, along with her aforementioned comrades, emerged from the conflict as legends, referred to as the Three Heroes. After King Arth's death, the war ended and Mariam continued her service to Queen Anne.

Twiright Prank
"I was able to find out that there was a certain old woman named Abyss I.R., with whom Internal Minister Presi secretly met with. But I couldn't find out anything about her personality or her goals, not even her current location. All I managed to learn, while staying aside, was that she was the real mastermind behind everything."

- Excerpt from Mariam's report

In December of EC 491, Mariam met with Queen Anne regarding the political dispute over the right of succession caused by Minister Presi. Discussing the situation regarding Princess Riliane's odd behavior and Presi's intentions, they became concerned by the potential issues that could come up and the Queen ordered Mariam to investigate. During her investigation, she learned that Presi was collaborating with an old woman, Abyss I.R., and that she was behind Presi's plot to control the government through manipulating Riliane.

Soon after, Mariam attended to Prime Minister Genesia's room and found Elluka battling a demonically possessed Presi. She intervened and rescued her friend from certain defeat, and the two managed to defeat the minister, killing him. Once the demon possessing Riliane was exorcised and Prince Alexiel was adopted by Leonhart, the Queen ordered Mariam to become a maid serving Riliane in order to help her recover from her amnesia and missing brother. After the event, the new Head of Maids found an unconscious girl in the city, and learned she had forgotten everything but her name: Ney. Unable to leave the girl without a family, Mariam adopted the nine year old Ney.

Later on, at the royal palace, Mariam met with Elluka and Leonhart and began recording the results of her investigation and the aftermath of the incident. When Leonhart joked how he, a bachelor, had ended up getting a child, Mariam asked how he planned to raise two children on his own. The swordsman said they'd manage and noted how it would be easier to raise a boy than his tomboyish daughter, Germaine. As he laughed, she envied his simplicity. When the Captain of the Royal Guard mentioned she too had adopted a child, she related how she found Ney. Looking toward Elluka, the maid inquired if the mage was willing to train an apprentice since she was unlikely to marry. The sorceress simply told her, "Never," without looking away from her book. At some point, Chartette Langley became a maid at the royal palace and Mariam often had to deal with the girl's clumsiness.

Fateful Days
"Please don't leave Lucifenia this early; I hope you'll come help this country." "Twenty years, that should be enough."

- Mariam and Elluka

Following Queen Anne's death in January of EC 499, Mariam attended her friend and ruler's funeral alongside Elluka and the weeping Princess Riliane. Mariam later witnessed the Princess proclaim her birthright to rule the nation before the assembly of ministers and met with Elluka and Leonhart after the session convened. Debating whether to have Prince Alexiel return to take control instead, Elluka noted they themselves weren't created from politics. After a short silence, Mariam voiced her preference to have Riliane on the throne rather than no ruler.

When Elluka joked how precarious their situation was given how Prime Minister Minis was the only other one aware of "Allen", the silver-haired maid noted that Minis was more familiar with politics than them. Suggesting the prince be brought in as a servant instead, the warrior agreed to the idea and Mariam reminded him to include Minis in on the matter. She then decided to leave, remarking that Chartette had probably already broken something. At Leonhart's comment, she admitted she was a handful but a good child; smiling, Mariam stated she was different from Ney before leaving.

The next day, Mariam was summoned by Elluka. Hastily entering the Hall of Mirrors, the Head of Maids looked upon the portraits of Arth, Anne, and the Three Heroes when she felt a presence. After swiftly disarming her assailant with a kick to the wrist, Mariam turned to face Elluka complaining about her “kicking habit”. Glaring, she asked her friend what she was doing and Elluka teased that, with Anne’s death, she was leaving and had to kill everyone who knew her. Mariam responded that toy knives couldn’t kill, picking up the wooden dagger and pushing the retractable dagger into the hilt with ease.

While noting its sophistication, she heard her friend’s ridiculous assassination plan and smiled, shrugging before asking why she was planning on leaving. Elluka explained how, with Anne and Arth dead, she had no obligation to stay and Mariam replied that she never changed, joking about Elluka’s ageless façade and childish character. The mage questioned if she wanted to know her secret and Mariam flatly denied the notion. Elluka complained how cold she could act and Mariam berated her for still acting like a child.

Afterwards, she pleaded for her friend to stay. Elluka suggested she train an apprentice to replace her instead but Mariam remained skeptical. Elluka assured her it would only take a few years if the person had talent, prompting the Head of Maids to ask if she found such a person. Elluka teased Mariam’s implication that she was replaceable and the maid, hurt, prepared to explain the contrary before noticing that Ney had entered. Her foster child apologized and alerted Mariam that Leonhart wanted her to take a look at the new servant boy. Mariam agreed and told Elluka they would continue their conversation another time, returning the toy dagger to her.

Sighing, the head maid left with Ney and, after examining the former Prince, she had him dressed in his menial attire and sent to serve the Princess. After learning from Minis that Elluka had gone to Elphegort in search of an apprentice, Mariam found her friend in the halls and mentioned her recent trip. The court mage question if she was worried and the maid brushed it off, inquiring if she found a disciple. Once Elluka admitted her failure, Mariam suggested she avoid crossing the border in the future to upset political tensions between the two kingdoms.

When Elluka asked about Allen, Mariam described his clever, soft, and polite demeanor and noted how Riliane also seemed to like him. As she expressed her belief they'd be together forever, they heard the Princess threaten to behead the boy, surprised to see her tackle the servant in the hall. Kneeling beside her, the maid asked if she was harmed and Riliane said that was not important. She then showed her two "wins" over Allen: her hair accessories poorly placed on the embarrassed Allen. After a brief silence, Mariam apologized to the boy and swiftly fixed up Riliane's shoddy work to make him pretty; she then pleaded the Princess to not recklessly threaten to behead people, explaining the punishment was for terrible felons, even if it was her playing around. Riliane denied the notion, stating she had the absolute authority to behead whoever she wanted to and that she wasn't playing games.

After the Princess left, Mariam stated she was still young and would change over time. She then voiced her concern of the ministers noticing their resemblance but Elluka stated she'd convince them otherwise. Skeptical, Elluka assured her many in the world looked alike and so it being a coincidence was believable. The mage then asked if any of the Netsuma Clan still existed in Elphegort. Unsure, she noted that their discrimination had recently decreased but was likely difficult to eliminate completely.

Although qualifying she didn't know what the mage had seen, she told her not to worry about it. Elluka reflected how she had simply seen a clumsy girl that reminded her of Riliane and then asked why she fixed Allen's bow. Confused, she replied it was because it was messed up and the mage joked about the cuteness of her action. Sometime afterward, Mariam saw Chartette break a vase. While cleaning up the mess, the Head of Maids assured the apologetic servant that it wasn't expensive. As Chartette depreciated herself for being an awful maid, Mariam admitted she was a bit carless but would improve, saying they should both do their best.

Reign of Evil
"In a country, there are all types of women, you know? All types."

- Leonhart

On the day of Princess Riliane's fourteenth birthday, Mariam strictly oversaw the servants to assure no one slacked off while the preparations for the party were underway. After discovering Chartette had broken something in the halls, Mariam assigned the passing Allen to help the maid with cleaning the palace courtyard, telling them that the royal families of neighboring countries would be attending the ball. Because of Riliane's escapade stunt, the servants fell behind in their work and were forced to make up for their lost time that evening; during the festivities, Mariam attended the celebration and directed the servants to assure the event went flawlessly.

Finding Allen just outside the Hall of Mirrors, she asked if he was tired and suggested he rest in the servants' quarters since they would need to clean up once the ball was over. She then noted he seemed to have Princess Riliane on his mind and teased how he was wondering that the twins shared the same face but had such different stations in life. The surprised Allen asked if she was a mind reader but Mariam denied the notion, saying she wasn't like Elluka. When the menial inquired if his obvious resemblance to his twin was a problem, Mariam explained that Elluka had already convinced everyone otherwise and that Allen's resemblance to Riliane was a coincidence. She then remarked how the issue was Riliane remembering him, but that the year he spent with her unnoticed proved she was still oblivious to the truth.

Later, while Riliane's massive birthday cake was brought out, she noticed Leonhart storm out of the Hall with Allen in close pursuit. After seeing him leave his foster son, calling the Princess "The Daughter of Evil", she moved beside the servant and leaned on the stairway railing. The Head of Maids voiced her agreement with his words, although noting they both knew Riliane's commands were absolute. Hearing Allen's concern, she told him to remain by his sister's side, since the evaluation of a country is the responsibility of the adults and Allen agreed.

After the assassination attempt on Riliane in EC 500, Mariam was one of the few people she permitted beside her. About a week after the princess' birthday, Mariam learned that Leonhart was discovered dead in the river and attended his funeral. Seeing his foster daughter, Germaine, silent, she held the child in her arms, her shoulders trembling. Some time later, Keel Freesis asked for a messenger to visit in exchange for aid to Lucifenia; Mariam was one of the servants chosen but Keel refused to have her, and Allen was selected instead.

A few days later, Mariam answered Riliane's screams for her, entering the Hall of Sounds and hearing the princess' orders. Alerted that King Kyle had rejected his betrothal to the princess, Mariam was sent on a reconnaissance mission to discover the identity of Kyle's green-haired lover. Sending Ney to the Freesis Mansion and doing her own investigation in Elphegort, Mariam reported to the princess' bedroom and informed her, Allen, and Elluka that she remained clueless despite all her efforts. The mage noted that they only knew of the girl's hair color, and Mariam explained that while Kyle's whereabouts in Elphegort were investigated, no information was obtained, as if they were being impeded from learning the truth.

The Head of Maids watched as Riliane erupted into a tantrum before calling for Prime Minister Minis and ordering him to have all the green-haired women in Elphegort slaughtered. After Elluka confronted Riliane's demand that the forest impeding an invasion be burned, the mage stormed out of the room and Mariam nervously chased after her. In the halls, she stopped Elluka and tried to reason with her but the mage replied that her task was finished with Anne and Arth's deaths and would flee with Gumillia from Riliane's madness. Asking what she would do afterward, the sorceress began her response before seeing Allen watching them and cursed. After Elluka prophesized Lucifenia's destruction to Allen, the mage told Mariam how happy she and Leonhart made her, wishing Allen wasn't present to impede their time together. With tears in her eyes, Mariam heard Elluka's farewell before the sorceress departed.

Some time later, Mariam learned that Riliane hired Gast Venom and prepared to serve him food in his quarters. Annoyed, Mariam entered to find Gast with Allen, the former teasing her about how she unexpectedly changed and became a servant. Irked, Mariam replied how he was still a mercenary, not changing at all. He responded that fighting was all he could do, and she remarked that he obviously never got over his sister's death. After their brief interchange, the Head of Maids told Allen to take care of Gast. Before leaving, she asked why the mercenary was fighting and he told her he was searching for a place to die.

Lucifenian Revolution
"I will let them see... the determination of the Three Heroes."

- Mariam

Towards the end of the Lucifenian Revolution, Mariam and Allen were the only servants who didn't flee as the revolutionaries approached the palace gates. She whispered it had started, hearing the sounds of the palace invasion. Angry, Ney had left her, the foster parent sarcastically noted their mother-daughter relationship and told Allen to escape as well while he had the chance. With his refusal to leave Riliane unprotected, the maid sighed and told him she had no intention of dying, choosing to test her limits fighting the Resistance army. Grabbing her knife from her shelf, Mariam said goodbye to Prince Alexiel, and told them to meet again if they both survived.

After leaving the Servant Room, Mariam entered the Heavenly Yard and struck down the invading soldiers, apologizing before explaining she could not let them through. Mariam proceeded to overwhelm the soldiers, striking them down one by one. Seeing Germaine commanding the battlefield, the bloodied assassin softly told her that women like them were strong individuals. Rallying the soldiers behind her, Mariam began the counterattack and attempted to halt Germaine's charge into the palace but was soon after attacked by a cloaked swordsman, forced to evade the strike. She stabbed the woman with her blades, questioning the attacker's identity, and narrowly missed, although destroying her cloak.

When the swordsman revealed her face, Mariam's face turned to utter shock at the sight of Chartette. Horrified, she asked why the maid participated in the revolutionary army and then asked God in disbelief at the reality. As the two prepared to battle one another, Mariam remarked how impressive it was for her swing such a massive sword. Dodging her attack, Mariam saw an adjacent soldier and revolutionary caught in its path, recognizing it was impossible to evade it. Avoiding her attacks one after the other, the maid again asked why she joined the revolutionaries, questioning if it was for money or ambition. Chartette answered that leaving things as they were left the people unhappy and leaped at Mariam.

Once the head maid avoided her downward slash, Chartette iterated that she simply followed her feelings. While putting away her daggers, Mariam admitted she was jealous of her simple reasoning. With the red-headed warriors blade stuck in the ground, Mariam swiftly snuck behind her and struck, reminding her that she would make Riliane and the others unhappy. With the giant sword shattered in a single blow, she followed uper her attack and kicked the maid into the palace walls.

Drawing one of her daggers again, Mariam said she couldn't let her escape now that she became an enemy of the palace. Apologizing, she prepared to finish her off but was suddenly struck by Chartette's rocket glove. Shocked by the reversal, Mariam noted the confusing name of her secret weapon. Still recovering from the strike, Mariam tried but failed to move while Chartette prepared to deal the final blow. As the former maid hesitated, Mariam screamed Chartette's name, using the opportunity to throw a smokebomb and escape in the confusion.

The Head of Maids retreated to a corner and admonished her odd weapon, questioning if her father made it; in disbelief she lost to an amateur child, she mused to Leonhart and Elluka how the times were about to change. Hearing someone approach, Mariam was surprised to see Ney there, saying she came back out of worry for her mother. Facing forward again, she told her adopted daughter it was dangerous and they should flee but suddenly felt a sharp pain. In utter shock, the confused maid looked over her shoulder to see Ney smiling while stabbing her in the back. Mariam collapsed to the ground and contemplated how everyone she knew had betrayed her as Ney prepared to deal another blow. Wondering what caused fate to go mad and who would be left standing, Mariam died.

Legacy
"That being said, Elluka would have a pained expression on her face whenever she heard the church bells ring. Although she didn’t say it out loud, I understand that Elluka was grieving for her lost friends."

- Gumillia's writings

Following her demise and the revolution's end, a patrolling Marlon soldier found her body in the Heavenly Yard and reported the finding to King Kyle. During the peace conference held the next day, he informed the delegates of the report. Although it was assumed she was killed by the revolutionary army during her escape, no one reported the kill, leaving the mystery unsolved. Years later, Ney admitted to being responsible for Mariam's death to Chartette after toying with the former maid's supposed part in her death.

Personality and Traits
"Mariam... a harsh but gentle person."

- Allen

Mariam was a stern but kind woman, loyally serving the Lucifenian crown for the majority of her life. Although having been raised in Asmodean as a child soldier, Mariam chose to defect from her homeland to serve King Arth and Queen Anne instead. After fighting in numerous campaigns for the Kingdom of Lucifenia, Mariam took pride in her place as one of the Three Heroes and respected those willing to defend the royal family during battle. As a disciplined spy and assassin, Mariam was a strong, independent individual, unafraid to test her limits, and believed this was shared with women in general. Normally, she maintained an extremely serious demeanor, conducting herself with a vacant expression and icy gaze; her cold star was considered to be a deadly weapon by Elluka. Similarly, she was merciless in battle, cutting down infantry one by one without hesitation.

However, Mariam was not heartless. In rare occurrences, she did smile when amused and sometimes teased others. Unwilling to abandon the seemingly amnesic child without a family, the assassin adopted Ney and acted as her parent. Because of Ney's quiet demeanor, the two acted formally in public though Mariam cared for her like her own kin. Similarly, Mariam considered Chartette to be a good child in spite of the trouble she caused, finding her to be a different kind of girl compared to Ney. She also felt that the death penalty was meant for criminals who had committed actual wrongs and disliked wanton murder and racial discrimination. Although dedicated to her work, Mariam sometimes overthunk situations and envied those with simple and straightforward ways of thinking. She also expressed a few quirks in her disciplined behavior, pointlessly fixing Riliane's girly bows on Allen, even apologizing to the embarrassed servant beforehand.

After defecting to Lucifenia, Mariam became close friends with Arth and Anne, even trusted to privately advise the latter. As a result, Mariam also felt loyal to their children, Prince Alexiel and Princess Riliane, and was glad to see Allen reunited with his sister years later. Because of Riliane's amnesia and resulting mental state, Mariam pitied the child and gladly became a maid on Anne's request to help slowly heal her heart. Although faithfully serving the Princess, Mariam disagreed with her whimsical policies but refused to oppose her on them; however, she continuously attempted to curb Riliane's selfish tendencies, hoping to reason with her, though the Princess ignored her morality lectures. Regardless, Mariam strove to make Riliane happy and was one of the few allowed to be near the Princess after Asan's assassination attempt.

Her wartime exploits with Leonhart and Elluka also forged a close bond with them. Although only a young teenager when she met the mage, Mariam ended up treating Elluka like a helpless kid, irritated by her playful and childish personality despite her age and constantly lectured her. In contrast, Mariam respected Leonhart and agreed with his sentiments for protecting the people, though frustrated he was unaware of her feelings towards him. Regardless, she cared for them both greatly and was disturbed by Elluka's desire to leave, pleading for her to stay and driven to tears when she finally left. Likewise, she was shaken by Leonhart's assassination and trembled during his funeral, though not crying. With the betrayal of Chartette and Ney, Mariam died feeling utterly alone and betrayed by everyone she knew.

Skills and Abilities
"I will fight till the last minute... I have no intention of dying. I want to test my limits."

- Mariam

Trained by her mother, Mariam was a master of cloak and dagger and quickly rose through the ranks of the Asmodean military, obtaining the rank of general by the time she was nine. Gifted with charisma and leadership, Mariam easily commanded her presence in front of others and gained many followers as one of the Three Heroes. When in combat, she took advantage of her skill on the front lines to inspire morale and, during the Lucifenian Revolution, utilized her legendary status to rally a counteroffensive.

As an assassin and spy, she was observant, allowing her to easily sense the presence of those around her and anticipate their attacks while remaining in control of the situation. Likewise, her perception gave her strong intuition, allowing her to deduce a person's thoughts based on their character or circumstances. Because her espionage work, Mariam's identity as one of the Three Heroes was known by very few people and could usually collect adequate information about someone within a short time.

Wielding twin daggers, Mariam's speed and elegance made her combat appear like a dance, her knives seemingly floating with her quick movements, and her aim was extremely precise. Mariam was also very flexible, able to nimbly move in her cumbersome maid uniform and bend her limbs with ease. She was adept at martial arts as well, able to easily parry and dodge reckless attacks and could even shatter a large broadsword with a single strike from her palm. The assassin carried tremendous strength in her kicks, capable of sending someone flying several meters into a stone wall with enough force to physically break it. Her speed and grace carried over to her duties as a maid, making many achievements as Head of Maids.

Character Connections
Elluka Clockworker: A fellow member of the Three Heroes. Mariam had a deep friendship with Elluka cultivated during their time together in the Lucifenian Expansion War. She expressed frustration with her lackadaisical manner and was bewildered by her ageless nature, but still valued her company greatly. She lost her composure when Elluka left the palace, tears in her eyes, and pleaded for her to stay; she later considered it one of many betrayals.

Leonhart Avadonia: A fellow member of the Three Heroes. Mariam had a deep friendship with Leonhart cultivated during their time together in the Lucifenian Expansion War, although she envied the simplicity of his desires and thought process. After he was assassinated, she was greatly grieved and comforted his daughter, Germaine, during the funeral whilst shaken herself.

Chartette Langley: A maid working under Mariam in the palace. Mariam acted as a comforting figure for Chartette when she was breaking objects in the palace due to her great strength. When Chartette joined the revolutionaries and revealed herself before the Head of Maids, Mariam was horrified and expressed disbelief. After Chartette bested her in a duel, she retreated, considering it one of many betrayals she suffered and was visibly shaken.

Ney Futapie: Mariam's adopted daughter. Mariam did not openly show her mother-daughter relationship with Ney; she instead treated her as another one of the servants. When Ney fled the palace during the Lucifenian Revolution, Mariam bitterly remarked on her daughter's disloyalty, but still expressed concern for her safety after seeing her in the midst of battle. When Ney killed Mariam, she died thinking of how it was the last of many betrayals she had suffered.

Gast Venom: A comrade of Mariam's from her days in the Asmodean military. The young Mariam became friends with Gast before defecting to Lucifenia in the Lucifenian Expansion War. After meeting him again, she expressed displeasure at how little he'd changed and his inability to accept his sister's death.

Allen Avadonia: A servant working under Mariam in the palace. Mariam was one of the few people who knew that Allen and Riliane were actually twins, and she tried to settle his confusion over how he and Riliane could have such different roles. She treated Allen with consideration and sympathy, suggesting he rest when exhausted and sharing words of farewell with him before leaving to fight the revolutionaries.

Riliane Lucifen d'Autriche: Mariam's employer after Arth and Anne's death. Mariam was loyal to Riliane as an extension of her loyalty to Anne, though exasperated with the queen's petulent demands and cruelty. She resolved to stay loyal to her to the end and fought against the revolutionaries invading the palace.

Conceptualization and Origin

 * Mariam's name is derived from the Aramaic, Persian, and Arabic name Maryam, meaning "star of the sea".
 * Mariam's name is partially inspired by the name of her representative Vocaloid, MIRIAM, sharing all but the second letters in their names.

Curiosities

 * Ironically, Mariam, a traitor to her homeland, was betrayed by those she trusted; even more so, she was betrayed and killed by Ney, a spy for the Kingdom of Marlon.
 * Allen notes that Riliane enjoyed yelling at the weak and trembling Prime Minister Minis more than the adamant and composed Mariam.

Gallery
Concept Art=