There was once a beautiful land of wonder and enchantment called Misthaven. There lived Lady Kotoko and her husband Lord Ryoji.
They were wealthy and owned much land in the country, with horses and fields. Plenty of places for a child to play.
It was here that a beautiful child was born, the Lady Haruhi.
But it was a tragic birth, for on the day of her birth her mother died.
Her father Ryoji was broken by grief. Though he was still a devoted father and doted on his daughter, he ached for her to have a mother.
So he married again, rather quickly, to a woman named Lady Benio, who already had two daughter, Suzuran and Hinagiku.
Haruhi played by herself, with her friend the mouse named Honey.
"Look at this Honey." Haruhi said. "Mother gave it to me. It's a magical key that leads. To the Land of Untold Stories. One day I will be brave and use it to break free from all of this. One day."
But that day never came, and Ryoji as well took ill and died.
Haruhi's stepfamily, whose behavior had been benevolent, turned greedy and sour towards her, taking everything she owned and leaving her as their maid. She kept secret the key.
"Haruhi! Finish your chores!" Benio kicked her.
"Neither Hinagiku nor Suzuran have helped me at all! There is so much work!" Haruhi pointed out.
Big Mistake.
Benio kicked over the water pail. "Do you think I WANT to languish in filth? Your idiot father spoiled you rotten, but didn't leave us with money or even give you anything valuable to sell off! If he had I'd have hired a proper staff, but instead all was left with was YOU! You clumsy, foolish, no good, BURDEN of a girl! The LEAST you can do is earn your keep!"
Benio kicked her again, and that was the last time Haruhi ever complained.