Translator/editor: ruby

Someone walked up to the blond man who was feeding a parrot, giving him a quick bow before shouting;

Your Majesty! I have something very important to tell you.

.

The blond man let the parrot fly away and turned around to face his servant. He shook off the bits of birdseed left on his fingertips with an indifferent expression. The sunlight hit his beautiful face.

The ring has been found!

The mans eyes lit up once he heard that word.

***

You useless little girl!

The nosebleed wouldnt stop. The voice that she was so accustomed to hearing was especially harsh today.

The child bit her lips and wiped her nose hastily with a dirty sleeve .

You pitiful little bitch! I hired you out of plain generosity, the least you can do is do your job right!

The girl clutched her shoulder, mocking the man under her breath.

For heavens sake You pay me two shillings a week. Im the only person you could possibly hire., she muttered.

He raised his hand again. Blondina clenched her teeth and shut her eyes tightly.

She felt a blow to her head. The blood from her nose dripped down her chin and stained her filthy collar.

As the man raised his hand one more time, she decided to run. Run away from the inn and from that man as fast as her little legs would take her.

The childs name was Blondina. Shed been working as a clerk at the inn ever since her mothers death.

The work wasnt easy her hands were swollen from her slow and tedious tasks. But it was the only option she had. For a young orphan like her, it was either this or being sold to some rich pedophile.

She let out a wheezing breath. Blondina didnt stop until she reached the entrance of the village.

She held on to her necklace tightly, her mothers voice ringing in her head.

Blondina. This is a gift from your father. Always keep it with you.

Her mother handed her a small pouch with a necklace in it.

Inside the worn little bag, along with the necklace, was a shiny ring. It was her sole reminder of a father she never got to know.

Her mother always told her that it was the only thing her father left behind, fleeing as soon as Blondina was born.

Tears started streaming down her face as she caught her breath, but she forced herself to hold them back.

I have pride. This cant make me cry.

She felt the ring, safely in the pouch. She desperately wanted to protect her mothers legacy. The necklace. But

Mom, Im sorry. I cant do this.

This was it for her. She had to put her own survival before a ring given to her by a father that abandoned her and her mother.

Blondina started running through the winding streets of the village. She was going to sell the damn ring. Right now.

The jewelry store was at the end of a small alley.

The smell of perfume hit her nose as she pushed open the heavy wooden door. It smelled exactly like a place fancy ladies would visit.

Blondinas heart was in her throat. She still couldnt help but feel guilty for selling her mothers legacy like this.

An old man holding a magnifying glass, the owner, stood behind the counter.

What brings you here?

Good morning, mister.

Ah, I assume Nordi sent you to sell something again. Hes got to stop with his funny business if he doesnt want his hands cut off.

Nordi, the innkeeper, often asked Blondina to sell jewelry so he would have money for gambling.

Blondina slipped off the necklace and took the ring out of the pouch. The owner finally raised his head as the jewelry clanked against the glass countertop.

Im here to sell my own things today, mister.

Yours?

Yes. My mother left them to me.

Just that simple sentence was very hard to say. The owner put his magnifying glass down and inspected the pouch, handling it with a disgusted face as if it was infectious. He frowned and threw it back at Blondina.

Untie it. By the way, hasnt it already been three years since Lily died? Just wait for a man you can hang on to Such a pitiful girl you are.

Blondinas mother, Lily, was widely known in the area for her beauty.

No common woman, what, not even any aristocrat, had her stunning golden hair and blue eyes.

Blondina took the ring out of the pouch with an expressionless face.

The ring sparkled as light hit it, even after this many years. The owner picked it up roughly to take a closer look.

Ill let you off the hook on this one, it looks real, but dont expect too much, alright?

Yes, mister.

Looks cheap, but somehow well made.

He suddenly went silent. His eyes dilated as if he had seen something extraordinary. He stood up. Blondina was following his every movement. His hands were trembling. He couldnt take his eyes off the ring. Scrawling for his magnifying glass, he inspected it closely. His expression quickly went from surprised, to doubtful, to astonished.

The man took a deep breath.

You, where did you steal this from! You bitch!

Blondina could instantly tell that the atmosphere had changed.

She was afraid shed get hit again, shaking her head aggressively.

I didnt steal it!

Then where, where!

My mother gave it to me. She she said it was the only thing my father left me!

I cant believe this! This shape., the man muttered with a blank stare. He motioned Blondina to a chair.

Stay right here! Ill be back soon!

Blondina didnt say anything. She still didnt know what was going on.

Rushing like some sort of madman, the owner locked the door and put out the closed sign. Blondina called after him quietly.

Mister?

He had already disappeared. What a mystery

Blondina just stared blankly at the closed door. The dim interior of the store was illuminated with nothing but a candle.

***

Blondina entered the guest room in the imperial castle, carefully lying down on the luxurious king bed.

She was still in disbelief of what was going on. How could she, of all people, be staying in the castle?

Two days ago, at the jewelry store, the owner returned not long after he left, with the Emperor. Blondina couldnt bow deep enough she had just seen a nobleman

She was driven to the castle in a carriage.

Thats how Blondina had been staying in the castle for days now, still not knowing the reason for anything that had happened to her.

She fiddled with the ring in her hand and looked out the window. The sun was setting on the horizon. It bathed the fields outside the window in an orange light as the sky darkened. Blondina slowly drifted away into daydreaming. Before she knew it, the moon and stars were the only things left to light up the room.

She was interrupted by the rattling of the door. It was usually never opened except for mealtimes

Who could it be?

Uneasily, she picked up a candlestick, the only useful weapon she could think of.

The door opened with an eerie creaking noise.

Blondina put down the candlestick as she saw the gigantic male figures that stood at the door. It would be useless to try and fight them, she thought. By a glance of their spotless skin and imposing walk, she could tell they werent just ordinary people.

After all the tall men filed in, a strikingly beautiful young man entered.

He walked in gracefully, followed by his servants. His blond hair shone softly under the light of a torch in the dark room. He soon caught Blondinas eye and raised an eyebrow. Blondina clasped her blanket tightly as he approached.

Tell me your name.

Who are you?, Blondina asked, avoiding the mans question.

He asked again, in a slightly irritated tone.

Your mothers name is Lily, right?

Do you know my mother?

Blondina gulped and raised her head to look at the man. .

He gestured at the servant next to him, who gave him a candle. He lifted Blondinas chin with a hand, as if he were observing a toy, and examined her facial features closely. A bit of wax dripped on the girls collarbone.

Ow!

She yelped, but didnt really seem to care much about the pain. Only then did the mans expression change.

You look very similar to your mother, you know., he said in a low, emotionless voice. His sharp eyes shot through Blondina.

A mirror image, almost.

She asked him, in a much kinder voice this time.

Who are you, sir?

Instead of answering, the man scanned Blondinas face again. The blond hair and pretty, twinkling eyes. He could see that she had a very upright character.

He started laughing and stroked Blondinas head.

Im Tris Ryn Haberti Atez. Your father Emperor of Athes.

Blondinas heart skipped a beat.