Hertia Cesca had endured the humiliation of her youth, a naive princess blind to the burgeoning rebellion that surrounded her. Locked within the castle walls, she vowed never to repeat her past mistakes.
Forewarned of the nefarious plots of the noble supporters of the late king’s sons, Hertia swiftly apprehended them, their feeble resistance proving futile against the damning evidence. Their grand schemes, had they succeeded, would have been perceived as retaliation. Before they could strike, Hertia severed their power and influence.
Henceforth, the late king’s sons remained concealed from Hertia’s watchful eyes.
From that moment onward, Hertia devoted herself to a series of arduous tasks, aimed at establishing a strong and centralized government. She rectified the tax system, dismantled the knightly orders aligned with the nobility, and weakened the grip of aristocratic fiefdoms.
Upon completing this series of cleansing reforms, the reigning Queen earned a fearsome reputation as the most dreaded individual in Arundell. The people of Arundell trembled before her, knowing that disobeying her commands was akin to committing a sin.
Yet, to Rihannan, the Queen’s goddaughter, Hertia was a figure of warmth, affection, and boundless love.
In her earlier years, when happiness enveloped Rihannan’s world, though the absence of paternal love still lingered, she found solace in the presence of her mother. During that time, Rihannan often wandered the royal palace, following in her mother’s footsteps.
It was within those palace walls that Rihannan first laid eyes upon the Queen.
The Queen gazed upon her with tenderness, drawing the little child onto her lap, enticing her with a delectable treat.
Those memories, etched within Rihannan’s mind, felt as though they had transpired just yesterday.
They were anything but sorrowful.
They were cherished memories.
Speaking of cherished memories, there was also the garden frequented by the Queen and her mother. Together, they would stroll amidst the meticulously arranged bonsai trees. In that tranquil garden, they engaged in heartfelt conversations, exploring a myriad of topics.
Often, Rihannan’s tiny feet struggled to keep pace, prompting her decision to venture through the garden on her own.
Surveying her surroundings, she beheld scenes of serene blossoms and graceful butterflies. The sight captivated her attention. Then, she heard the chirping of a bird. Her gaze fell upon a golden creature, its wings entangled within the branches. Nearby, a feline predator prepared to pounce.
“Ah…”
Rihannan frantically sought a means to save the bird, but her efforts proved in vain. All her innocent self could do was seize a stone from the ground and weakly hurl it toward the cat. The stone traveled a mere few centimeters before plummeting to the earth.
It was merely a matter of time before the bird would succumb to the cat’s predation.
“Give up. That is the bird’s fate,” a voice declared.
Startled, Rihannan nearly stumbled.
“Why does my surprise amuse you?”
Rihannan turned her gaze toward the speaker.
His glossy black hair was raked by his fingers, unveiling deep, dark violet eyes—intense and vibrant in hue. His appearance possessed the typical softness observed among Arundelites, yet he exuded a distinct coldness, unlike Rihannan’s Crichton cousins.
“Who are you?” Rihannan inquired, peering into his indifferent stare.
Had Rihannan been slightly older, she might have recognized that only one boy within the royal palace had the freedom to roam about in such comfortable attire. But she was still young, unaware of such matters.
The boy chuckled, finding Rihannan’s perplexity amusing.
“You’re quite peculiar. And who might you be?” he inquired.
“I’m Ri… no, I need your help!”
Rihannan grasped his hand and tugged him toward the trapped bird. Yet, her efforts were in vain. The boy stood firm, an immovable boulder, contrasting his youthful countenance.
“I told you to give up. It is the bird’s destiny,” the boy declared, pointing to the approaching cat.
“Do you see that feline? Observe her sagging belly. She is a new mother. If her hunt fails, the bird will survive, but her kittens will starve.”
The boy directed Rihannan’s attention to the mother cat, who had recently birthed her litter. Her milk was strained, forcing her to leave her young ones behind in search of prey.
“Yes, but…”
Rihannan’s expression turned somber. Truth be told, she held no fondness for birds or cats, but rather for all things small, cute, and warm. Rather than rescuing the bird, Rihannan wished to spare the kittens from starvation.
And, the boy was right.
However…
That did not mean she wished to witness the mother cat pounce upon the defenseless bird before her eyes. If there were a way, she would have saved them both, but she was powerless, and that only served to frustrate her.
“…Are you weeping?”
Rihannan wept profusely, tears flowing like an unrestrained river. The young boy, taken aback and uncertain of how to console her, flinched. Such a sight had never greeted his eyes, for he had never witnessed a woman shedding tears since birth.
“Please, do not cry! People might think I am the cause of your distress. Hey, please don’t cry… alright?” Though his attempts to soothe Rihannan proved futile, the boy gritted his teeth, determined to find a solution. “Ah, I understand now! I shall save the bird!”
With unwavering resolve, the boy dashed toward the towering tree, nimbly ascending its trunk in a single swift motion. The mother cat, jaws agape, poised to strike at the defenseless bird. Realizing time was of the essence, the boy leaped across the sturdy branch without a moment’s hesitation.
Chirp, chirp!
Swoosh!
“Ahhhh!”
Boom!
In that instant, an array of sounds mingled, creating a cacophony amidst the symphony that enveloped the entire garden.
Rihannan rushed forward, astounded by the sight of the boy crashing to the ground.
“Are you unharmed?”
The boy wore a visage that betrayed his lack of well-being, softly groaning. In his hand, he cradled the small, delicate bird, while the startled mother cat scampered away. As soon as the boy released his grip, the little bird soared into the boundless blue sky, joyfully flapping its wings.
Rihannan’s eyes widened.
Lost in awe at the sight of the bird, now a mere speck in the distance, Rihannan was startled by the boy’s voice from below.
“What? I put myself in grave danger for your sake, and you remain indifferent?”
Only then did Rihannan turn her attention to the vexed boy. “I apologize. Are you injured?”
“No, I am unscathed,” he replied curtly as he rose with Rihannan’s assistance.
Rihannan gazed at him anxiously.
Fortunately, as he had claimed, he bore no wounds, though his attire was torn and soiled.
His face was smeared with black soil, prompting Rihannan to reach out and wipe away the dirt with her hand. The boy’s purple eyes widened momentarily before averting his gaze.
“Who are you…?”
“Did you witness it?” Rihannan asked, brimming with excitement.
“Witness what?”
The boy was perplexed.
“I recognize that bird.”
“What bird?”
“It was Ataraxia!”
Ataraxia was no ordinary bird but a creature confined to the realms of myth. Just as in Crichton, their own mythical bird named Myastra existed—a being half-god and half-human, dwelling betwixt the earthly realm and the heavens. In the human realm, it appeared no different from an average avian creature.
As mythical birds often faced threats, they granted a single wish to those who saved their lives.
“You see, as the bird soared into the sky, it grew in size, emitting a radiant glow. I witnessed it clearly!”
“…”
“I understand… truly remarkable. I have witnessed something truly extraordinary.”
The boy seemed on the verge of saying something, but he swiftly closed his mouth and sighed. Despite his words, his expression held no trace of surprise. Nevertheless, Rihannan paid no mind, taking his response as a compliment.
“That wish is yours.”
“Hmm?”
Rihannan surveyed her surroundings and soon laid eyes upon what she sought—a small, yellow feather scattered upon the ground. She extended it to the boy.
“You saved the bird’s life. Make a wish with this.”
The boy silently accepted the yellow feather, his lips curling upward ever so slightly.
Hertia Cesca had endured the humiliation of her youth, a naive princess blind to the burgeoning rebellion that surrounded her. Locked within the castle walls, she vowed never to repeat her past mistakes.
Forewarned of the nefarious plots of the noble supporters of the late king’s sons, Hertia swiftly apprehended them, their feeble resistance proving futile against the damning evidence. Their grand schemes, had they succeeded, would have been perceived as retaliation. Before they could strike, Hertia severed their power and influence.
Henceforth, the late king’s sons remained concealed from Hertia’s watchful eyes.
From that moment onward, Hertia devoted herself to a series of arduous tasks, aimed at establishing a strong and centralized government. She rectified the tax system, dismantled the knightly orders aligned with the nobility, and weakened the grip of aristocratic fiefdoms.
Upon completing this series of cleansing reforms, the reigning Queen earned a fearsome reputation as the most dreaded individual in Arundell. The people of Arundell trembled before her, knowing that disobeying her commands was akin to committing a sin.
Yet, to Rihannan, the Queen’s goddaughter, Hertia was a figure of warmth, affection, and boundless love.
In her earlier years, when happiness enveloped Rihannan’s world, though the absence of paternal love still lingered, she found solace in the presence of her mother. During that time, Rihannan often wandered the royal palace, following in her mother’s footsteps.
It was within those palace walls that Rihannan first laid eyes upon the Queen.
The Queen gazed upon her with tenderness, drawing the little child onto her lap, enticing her with a delectable treat.
Those memories, etched within Rihannan’s mind, felt as though they had transpired just yesterday.
They were anything but sorrowful.
They were cherished memories.
Speaking of cherished memories, there was also the garden frequented by the Queen and her mother. Together, they would stroll amidst the meticulously arranged bonsai trees. In that tranquil garden, they engaged in heartfelt conversations, exploring a myriad of topics.
Often, Rihannan’s tiny feet struggled to keep pace, prompting her decision to venture through the garden on her own.
Surveying her surroundings, she beheld scenes of serene blossoms and graceful butterflies. The sight captivated her attention. Then, she heard the chirping of a bird. Her gaze fell upon a golden creature, its wings entangled within the branches. Nearby, a feline predator prepared to pounce.
“Ah…”
Rihannan frantically sought a means to save the bird, but her efforts proved in vain. All her innocent self could do was seize a stone from the ground and weakly hurl it toward the cat. The stone traveled a mere few centimeters before plummeting to the earth.
It was merely a matter of time before the bird would succumb to the cat’s predation.
“Give up. That is the bird’s fate,” a voice declared.
Startled, Rihannan nearly stumbled.
“Why does my surprise amuse you?”
Rihannan turned her gaze toward the speaker.
His glossy black hair was raked by his fingers, unveiling deep, dark violet eyes—intense and vibrant in hue. His appearance possessed the typical softness observed among Arundelites, yet he exuded a distinct coldness, unlike Rihannan’s Crichton cousins.
“Who are you?” Rihannan inquired, peering into his indifferent stare.
Had Rihannan been slightly older, she might have recognized that only one boy within the royal palace had the freedom to roam about in such comfortable attire. But she was still young, unaware of such matters.
The boy chuckled, finding Rihannan’s perplexity amusing.
“You’re quite peculiar. And who might you be?” he inquired.
“I’m Ri… no, I need your help!”
Rihannan grasped his hand and tugged him toward the trapped bird. Yet, her efforts were in vain. The boy stood firm, an immovable boulder, contrasting his youthful countenance.
“I told you to give up. It is the bird’s destiny,” the boy declared, pointing to the approaching cat.
“Do you see that feline? Observe her sagging belly. She is a new mother. If her hunt fails, the bird will survive, but her kittens will starve.”
The boy directed Rihannan’s attention to the mother cat, who had recently birthed her litter. Her milk was strained, forcing her to leave her young ones behind in search of prey.
“Yes, but…”
Rihannan’s expression turned somber. Truth be told, she held no fondness for birds or cats, but rather for all things small, cute, and warm. Rather than rescuing the bird, Rihannan wished to spare the kittens from starvation.
And, the boy was right.
However…
That did not mean she wished to witness the mother cat pounce upon the defenseless bird before her eyes. If there were a way, she would have saved them both, but she was powerless, and that only served to frustrate her.
“…Are you weeping?”
Rihannan wept profusely, tears flowing like an unrestrained river. The young boy, taken aback and uncertain of how to console her, flinched. Such a sight had never greeted his eyes, for he had never witnessed a woman shedding tears since birth.
“Please, do not cry! People might think I am the cause of your distress. Hey, please don’t cry… alright?” Though his attempts to soothe Rihannan proved futile, the boy gritted his teeth, determined to find a solution. “Ah, I understand now! I shall save the bird!”
With unwavering resolve, the boy dashed toward the towering tree, nimbly ascending its trunk in a single swift motion. The mother cat, jaws agape, poised to strike at the defenseless bird. Realizing time was of the essence, the boy leaped across the sturdy branch without a moment’s hesitation.
Chirp, chirp!
Swoosh!
“Ahhhh!”
Boom!
In that instant, an array of sounds mingled, creating a cacophony amidst the symphony that enveloped the entire garden.
Rihannan rushed forward, astounded by the sight of the boy crashing to the ground.
“Are you unharmed?”
The boy wore a visage that betrayed his lack of well-being, softly groaning. In his hand, he cradled the small, delicate bird, while the startled mother cat scampered away. As soon as the boy released his grip, the little bird soared into the boundless blue sky, joyfully flapping its wings.
Rihannan’s eyes widened.
Lost in awe at the sight of the bird, now a mere speck in the distance, Rihannan was startled by the boy’s voice from below.
“What? I put myself in grave danger for your sake, and you remain indifferent?”
Only then did Rihannan turn her attention to the vexed boy. “I apologize. Are you injured?”
“No, I am unscathed,” he replied curtly as he rose with Rihannan’s assistance.
Rihannan gazed at him anxiously.
Fortunately, as he had claimed, he bore no wounds, though his attire was torn and soiled.
His face was smeared with black soil, prompting Rihannan to reach out and wipe away the dirt with her hand. The boy’s purple eyes widened momentarily before averting his gaze.
“Who are you…?”
“Did you witness it?” Rihannan asked, brimming with excitement.
“Witness what?”
The boy was perplexed.
“I recognize that bird.”
“What bird?”
“It was Ataraxia!”
Ataraxia was no ordinary bird but a creature confined to the realms of myth. Just as in Crichton, their own mythical bird named Myastra existed—a being half-god and half-human, dwelling betwixt the earthly realm and the heavens. In the human realm, it appeared no different from an average avian creature.
As mythical birds often faced threats, they granted a single wish to those who saved their lives.
“You see, as the bird soared into the sky, it grew in size, emitting a radiant glow. I witnessed it clearly!”
“…”
“I understand… truly remarkable. I have witnessed something truly extraordinary.”
The boy seemed on the verge of saying something, but he swiftly closed his mouth and sighed. Despite his words, his expression held no trace of surprise. Nevertheless, Rihannan paid no mind, taking his response as a compliment.
“That wish is yours.”
“Hmm?”
Rihannan surveyed her surroundings and soon laid eyes upon what she sought—a small, yellow feather scattered upon the ground. She extended it to the boy.
“You saved the bird’s life. Make a wish with this.”
The boy silently accepted the yellow feather, his lips curling upward ever so slightly.
