— Chapter 1: Before The Tide —

The silence of noise except the puddle of muddy water from an alleyway in a district, the sounds of water drip aimlessly where the once beloved city prospered before its severe downfall towards mysterious crimes and vicious deaths of the corrupted remain standing in today's present.

The sky had already darkened to the point where the people were no longer visible outside of their homes, and only the thieves and assassins wonder about through the night. Aside from themselves, corrupt officials and gangs also roam freely in the moon-filled night.

It's been six years. Six years after I had no choice but to run and hide from others in order to secure my identity and fate.

And within this night, I was running from a desperate man seeking out to capture me because of complicated matters I've engaged in. All of this started because of me six years ago. . .

– 6 Years Ago –

"Wow!" The beautiful water fountains shone brilliantly on my arrival at Hamel, the City of Water. The water reflected from the warm light of the sun's rays that casted down on my shadow, and my family is also with me! Despite the fact most of my siblings don't really like me, my closest brother Aren does! He's always the one who watches over me greatly and I admire him so much even though we're not of the same blood from our mother's side.

Anyways, we are here in Hamel for our family's protection. I am to attend Hamel Academy here and meet some new friends! I'm very delightful to be here to familiarize myself of this city and get to see the most beautiful places here in Hamel.

But the most important thing of all is that I hope I can try all of the delicacies made in the bakeries, since it's rumored that the best ones are in this city! Unknowingly, I drooled.

"Are you thinking about those desserts again?" My brother Aren says with a chuckle afterwards, prepared me a handkerchief beforehand and I took it and wiped my saliva in embarrassment.

"Ahaha, I'm just too excited brother. I can't wait to start school here in Hamel!" My hands fist-pumped to the air with incredible excitement.

"Hmph, with your current manners? If you forget your proper mannerisms, don't you think the people here will make a laughingstock of you?." One of my half-brothers said. It's true that I lack the manners of a budding young lady due to my clumsiness, so the people might just laugh at me! I was just about to clarify my second brother to be right but Aren stepped in front of me.

"They won't make fun of our meimei. How can they be making a laughingstock of Ara when she's so very kind? Surly you must be mistaken, second brother." Aren told Second Brother with polite manners. He showed respect towards brother Aren, but unlike him I could tell that he disapproved of me and was going to say something before deciding to just walk away from us.

Feeling that I've burdened Aren, I apologized. "Brother Aren...I-" He didn't let me say any further and patted my head. Everytime he does that, I know that he's trying to reassure me that everything will be okay and nothing bad will ever happen. I'm happy to have him by my side when things get tough between me and my mom, I can always rely on him to reassure me.

After a few days before the start of the school day, I prepared my supplies for my first day of education in Hamel. Everything's different here than at home since they don't usually hold things from the Northern Region. This place unfamiliar to me has a lot to offer to our people and they were kind enough for me and my family to stay here under protection until Fahrmann was safe enough to shelter again.

"Which way to the academy again..?" I looked right and left in the street. Both ways we're so similar with each other that I can't tell where should I go. I subsequently went right in hoping I went the right way, but something's off. "Where is this exactly?" By looking around my surroundings, I discovered a tall building that looked like a castle.

"Could this be the school?" I entered the castle and saw many beautiful structures inside it like a rich man's dream! I never knew the academy could be this prestigious. Then footsteps were heard behind me. I turned around to see a young boy with blonde hair and brown tips, wearing clothes that resembled the school's official uniform.

His eyes were stunning. . .really stunning to see. It was like looking at SUCH A CUTE PUPPY!

I went over to him and patted his head in glee. He was so cute!

"A-Ah miss, I-I know I look cute in your eyes but what are you doing in my home?" Huh? Did he say this place was his home? With such a cute voice of his?

"Hahaha, only people who've seen you the first time often tell you that, son." Another human walked in and it was a man as large as me and the young boy, but I recognized who this was.

"S-SIR HELPUTT?!" I yelled in shock. This was the castle of the Seiker family, how could I not know! And this child is his son! "I-I'm sorry sir, I didn't know where the academy was and I just figured if I went in the direction I chose I hoped that I chose right but I came here instead and saw your castle and I thought it was the school and-", running out of air I catch my breath.

"Hahaha, it's alright. It's a surprise to see the young lady of the Haan family unexpectedly arrive here yet it would be my honor to escort you towards the academy. However I'm busy to delay any of my tasks, so I'll have my son deliver you there with him." Sir Helputt is very kind to my family, so I hoped to repay him for his kindness.

Wait, did he say his son will escort me?!

"Father, I can go with her?" The little boy tilted his head at him. Sir Helputt wants his son to go with me to the academy?

"You want this father of yours to be unjust as the benefactor of her family and people?" His expression seemed to be as if he was scolding his son for being rude to a lady.

"I'll have the guards look after you during the escort." The boy only nods to his father and did his best to try and escort me to the carriage. We both sat opposite sides across from each other while the carriage was taking us to our destination. Both of us didn't talk for a moment until I caught him looking at me when I was looking out the window. He blushed a bit and I couldn't help but find it cute.

"A-Are you the new person with your family that arrived here?" He asked me for the first time and I couldn't help but smile at him.

"Yeah, my family and I are staying in Hamel for now. Thus I'm going to school here for the time being too." Answering him positively, he then nods until he widened his eyes and displayed curtesy towards me.

"I-I apologize for not introducing myself. My name is Prince Seiker." Prince? A charming little prince is he? No wonder why he's named that. "As you well know about my father Helputt Seiker, known as 'Hamel's White Colossus', I am his son who's awaiting the day I can be like him." His paw print-like eyes sparkled when he talked about his father.

"Ah, what is Miss's name since you're like a friend to my father?" His lips curled up into a smile as he awaited for my answer. I exhaled air to calm myself down from his adorableness.

"My name is. . ."