This story takes place long before the main story.
Even at eight years old, Elias Goldstein didn't like to play outside. Rather, he preferred to stay in his family's library and read. His older brothers always teased him about it, but his mother had always come to his defense. It annoyed him, as his mother continued to baby him in spite of his efforts to make her stop. It didn't help that Nicholas and Klaus were now at the Gedonlune Royal Magic Academy, thus leaving Little Elias alone with his parents. His mother was even more clingy and protective than ever before.
That was probably what pushed him to slip away the first chance he got.
Yes, the little bookworm escaped from his mother's hawk eye. His family was visiting the town by the Academy, but they were unable to meet with his brothers. While his parents were talking to some old friends, Elias had carefully slipped away, with no particular destination in mind.
And now he was lost.
He had somehow walked into the nearby forest, and though he could still faintly hear the sounds of the market, he couldn't tell which direction it was coming from. He had never been lost before, and never so alone. Even at home, there were butlers or maids within calling distance, but here, there was no one.
Or so he thought.
"Watcha doin'?" called a voice from above.
Snapping his head up, Elias saw a girl around his age sitting up in a tree. She had wild copper hair that was sticking out every which way. Her large, silver eyes were watching him with curiosity. Quickly sniffling up his tears, he answered.
"I-I'm exploring!"
"Exploring? Why are ya crying?" she asked, hopping down.
The young Goldstein tried to stop her, certain she'd break something, but she landed quite gracefully. She walked over and to the boy's dismay, she was an inch or two taller. She gave him a wide grin, and he saw that she was missing a tooth.
"Don't be upset, Shorty!"
"I'm not short! I'll be taller soon enough!"
"Okay, Shorty."
"Stop it!"
Elias was about to start yelling but stopped short when the strange burst into laughter. He took a confused step back, only for her to take a step forward.
"What's your name, Shorty?"
"Elias G-"
"I'm Ana! My full name's a mouth full, so people just call me by my nickname. Anyway, are you lost, Lias?"
"It's Elias, and I'm not lost."
"Lias, its okay if you're lost. I'll help you get back!"
"My name is Elias, and I know what I'm doing!"
"Lias is lost. Lost is Lias!" she sang.
"I'm done with you!" the boy shouted, throwing his arms up.
He turned around and stormed off. Ana was an infuriating person, unlike anyone he'd met before. The children he'd always talked to were from other higher class families, and were always well-behaved, with neat hair and clean clothes. This girl was the complete opposite, and he had no idea how to act around her. As he began to wonder if that was just how normal kids acted, Elias began to feel bad about being sensitive. Suddenly, something shot by him, grabbing his hand as it went.
"Sorry! No time to explain!" Ana shouted.
As he was being pulled along, he heard someone shouting for the girl. They went farther into the forest, faster and faster until whoever was following them was far out of earshot. As he bent over panting, the girl turned to him.
"Sorry! Vince was gonna find me. We're playing hide and seek, but I wasn't supposed to go in the woods."
"So why'd you bring me along?!"
"Dunno. But since you're here now, anywhere you wanna go? I'll take you."
"Unless you can get me into the Academy, then no."
"Huh?" asked Ana, tilting her head, "Why do you wanna go there?"
"My brothers go there, but I can't just show up to say hello."
The girl stopped, rubbing her chin in thought. She furrowed her brows, muttering something he couldn't hear. After a few more moments, her face brightened up. Taking his hand, much more gently this time, she led Elias throught the forest. Whenever he'd try to ask where they were going, Ana would just tell him it was a surprise. After a while, they got to a fence. The girl let out a loud whistle and a bird flew over.
"What's going on?" asked an annoyed and confused Elias.
"Just wait a second!" Ana smiled back.
He did as she said, albeit impatiently. After a while, the bird came back with a pocket watch. It dropped it, and the boy leaped forward to catch it. Upon further inspection, he recognized it. His father had given it to his oldest brother a few years ago. With perfect timing, the boy himself ran over.
"Where di- Elias?!" Nicholas asked in surprise.
"I-I... Hi?" Elias stuttered.
He looked at Ana for answers and grinned.
"Hurry up and talk to your brother. Vince is already gonna be mad."
"Oh? Who's this? A friend?" Nicholas asked, facing the girl.
"Lady Knight Ana." she replied, dramatically bowing.
The older boy laughed, introducing himself and turned back to his brother. The two could only talk for a short while before a bell rang. Bidding each other farewell, and returning the pocket watch, Elias and Ana watched the oldest son of the Goldsteins run back to class. After he was out of sight, Ana led him back through the forest. To his surprise, it didn't take long to get back to town. Perhaps it had to do with all the talking they did.
"Well, here we are!" Ana announced with a grin.
"Yeah, thank you!" Elias smiled back.
The girl was about to say something, when she was suddenly swept up into the air by a red-haired teenage boy. As the girl laughed, the teenager sighed and began scolding her. She called him silly, and the boy realized that this must be 'Vince'. The boy began carrying off towards the market, and the youngest Goldstein suddenly felt very lonely.
"Bye, Elias! I hope we meet again!" Ana shouted, carried off like a sack of potatoes.
"Goodbye, Ana!" he shouted back.
With that, the two disappeared into the crowd. Not long after, his mother and father found him. He was given a tough lecture, and had to endure his mother's smothering affection, but somehow, it didn't bother him as much. As he walked back to the inn with his parents, Elias excitedly told them about his adventure with his new friend.