Flashback.

Hertia Cesca suffered ignominy when she was a young, naive princess. Failing to read the signs of rebellion brewing, she was locked in the castle. Since then, she swore shed never repeat the same mistakes again.

Learning of the nobles nefarious machination and plot in advance, Hertia temporarily arrested the nobles supporting the late kings sons.

Hertia was right.

The nobles resisted fiercely, but all their plans was fruitless for they were quickly put behind bars due to the damning evidence none could deny. Had their schemings come to fruition, itd be considered retaliation.

So before they could make a move, Hertia cut off all their limbs.

From then on, the late kings sons hid from Hertias eyes.

Since then, Hertia worked on series of burdens and tasks to establish a strong, centralized government from fixing the tax system to disbanding the nobility-affiliated knights to weakening the aristocratic fiefdom.

After the series of convergence clean-up, the reigning Queen gained a notorious reputation as the most feared person in Arundelle.

Arundelites feared her; not following her orders was akin to sinning.

But to Rihannan, the Queens goddaughter, Hertia was nothing but warm, affectionate, and loving.

In the early days, when all Rihannan knew was happiness, though the absence of fatherly-love was still lacking, she was fine and content with her mother. She was still alive then and Rihannan often followed her in the royal palace.

It was in the royal palace Rihannan saw the Queen for the first time.

The Queen looked at her big, innocent eyes affectionately and immediately placed the little child in her lap, bribing her with a snack.

Rihannan remembered those memories like it was yesterday.

Those were happy memories.

Speaking of fond memories, there was also the garden the Queen and her mother frequented to. Theyd walk about in the garden where bonsai trees lined up perfectly. In that peaceful garden, theyd talk about everything and anything.

Oftentimes, Rihannans little feet struggled to keep up and so she decided shed journey in the garden by herself.

Looking around, she saw scenes of serene flowers and beautiful butterflies. It distracted her. Then came the sound of a bird chirping. She looked over and saw a golden little bird with its wings tangled in the branches. Rihannan looked to the left and saw a cat nearby ready to pounce.

Ah

Rihannan quickly looked for means to save the bird, but it was to no avail. All innocent little her could do was pick the stone resting on the ground and throw it to the cat, albeit weakly. The stone flew only a few centimeters before dropping.

It was only a matter of time before the bird would end up as the cats prey.

Give it up. That, that is the birds fate.

!!

Rihannan was startled and she had almost tripped on her footing.

Why are you so surprised?

Rihannan looked at the boy.

He ran his fingers over his glossy black hair, revealing those deep, dark violet eyes. It was of vivid color. He had dark hair, dark eyes, and a typically soft appearance commonly seen from an Arundelite, and a unique cold air, one uniquely different from Rihannans Crichton cousins.

Who are you?

Rihannan asked, looking at his indifferent gaze.

If Rihannan was a little bit older, shed have quickly realized that there was only one boy in the royal palace that could walk around in comfortable clothing.

But she wouldnt have known.

She was young, after all.

The boy laughed, finding Rihannas bewilderment amusing.

Youre absurd. Who are you?

He said.

Im Ri no, I need your help!

Rihannan grabbed his hand and quickly pulled him towards the bird. But it was a futile action. Like a heavy rock, the boy refused to budge. It didnt match his babyface one bit.

I told you to give it up. Thats the birds destiny.

The boy pointed to the cat approaching the bird.

You see that cat? Look at her drooping belly. Shes a new mother. If the hunt fails, the bird will live, but her kittens will starve.

The boy looked at the mother cat whod recently given birth to her kittens. Her breast milk was stretched out and she had left her younglings to go hunting.

Yes, but

Rihannans face turned sullen. She liked neither birds nor cats, truth be told, but all things small, cute, and warm. Rather than save the bird, Rihannan did not want to see the kittens starve.

And truth be told, the boy was right.

But

That did not mean she liked to see the mother cat pouncing on the little bird in front of her eyes. If there was a way, she would have liked to save them both, but she could not. She was powerless and that made her all the more frustrated.

***

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