A country steeped in bayou and bogs, magic and mystery, this was Orleans. This country was ruled over by King Uther and Queen Ava, and someday, their daughter Christel.
Uther had gained his position as king by leading his country in war and winning the right to wear the Firefly Ruby. His leadership had made him king, and Christel wanted to be just like him.
However, it was not to be; as Uther died when she was ten years old.
Christel tied back her ebony hair in a kerchief and put an apron over her princess dress. Getting flour all over her chocolate colored skin, she began making gumbo and beignets for the kingdom. They had all come out to say farewell to her father, the hero.
After the greatest funeral the country of Orleans had ever seen, years began to pass, and Christel's family fell into debt.
Finally they put on a sale of royal objects for anyone who could pay.
By now Christel had grown into a young woman, favoring green as her color, matching her eyes, and her long hair often swept up on top of her head. Today she just wore a checkered green sundress.
A noblewoman named Miyuki came in. Christel was wary of her.
Miyuki was the daughter of Lady Mukuro, and she was a powerful woman.
"Hello princess. You sure do favor your father, don't you?" Miyuki said. "I wonder what he would think of you selling this?"
Miyuki held up the Firefly Ruby.
"That...is not for sale." Christel snatched it away. "My father received it because of his heroism, instead of winning power by using nefarious means."
"Well," Miyuki said snidely. "Pity his heroism won't be able to save you and your mother from bankruptcy."