"Let us start from Origin. Now, the Origin of my story varies. Many events led to [Me] and where I'm stood now. A good number of them happens before my birth. However, that was too much a stretch, isn't it? Too long." Beiyue laughed. "So I shall start with one turning point of my life. It starts with a shopping trip, you see."

Origin Part 1: The Lady of Star

Five Years ago,

It was a bright day when little Beiyue goes shopping with her mother. They need new dresses, as Beiyue had started to outgrow her old ones. Not to mention that within a week, there will be a birthday celebration. Her mother's, as well her mother's twin brother, the Emperor of Nanyi.

As one of the Princesses, moreover, as the daughter of one of the celebrants and niece of the other, Beiyue was expected to attend the party. Hence, dress shopping. She can't possibly attend the party while wearing an old dress. Her mother won't allow her. She pulled Beiyue along so they can pick up the Fabric and dress style.

...Beiyue doesn't understand. Why should she bought new dresses when her old ones were still fit? Sure, they might be a little tight in waist and shoulder, but not like anyone would notice if she doesn't speak up. Some of her dresses she only had worn two or three times. It would be such a waste... those dresses are pretty.

"Because we women like pretty things and want to be one of them."

Beiyue looked up and...

A Star

The lady who answered her question gives the impression of a star. She was very tall and slim, with long pale hair that looks like a mix between gold and silver. What catch Beiyue's eyes the most, was her odd dress. It was off because it's almost form-fitting, yet at the same time not. Above the creamy yellow inner dress was the strangest dress Beiyue ever saw (for now). Most of it was dark blue with white stars and a crescent moon pattern, except for the right sleeve and the right part of the torso, which was the reverse in color. The dress was fell off, showing her shoulders, and not fell further because of the odd wide sash in the same color as the right sleeve, tied with a big sky blue ribbon.

All in all, she dressed really strange, even if it suits her. Beiyue can't help but wonder, won't she feel cold?

"Fu, the cold doesn't bother me, Princess."

Beiyue blushed red. Did she say it out loud? Did she hear about the Star part?!

The lady laughed. "You're cute." Aaaaand... there we go, Beiyue blushed redder. No one ever calls her cute. Her mother uses words like adorable or precious, same with Royal Uncle. Her father and siblings... are not exactly close to her. So excuse her for being blushing red when someone's calling her 'cute'!

"Umm... umm..." Beiyue twiddle with her thumb. Her eyes darting around to see something she could say as a conversation topic. "Umm... m-may I ask, what color you search?!"

It comes out as a squeak, like a mouse, and Beiyue wished someone would take her away. This is so embarrassing...!

To her immense relief, the Star Lady just laughed, and her laugh didn't make Beiyue want to shrink to the nearest closet like when Concubine Qin laughed at something.

"Awww... not only cute but polite and helpful, too. You know, little one, a lot of people could take benefit from learning manners from you." Aaand, back to blushing, Beiyue is. "To answer your question, little Princess, I am searching for a certain fabric."

"Which one?"

"Hmm. I don't know."

Beiyue almost face-faulted. Almost.

"How ?" She asked. How could someone search for something but not knowing what it is? How she's supposed to find it?

"Well..." The Lady winked. "I would know when I find it. Call it intuition."

Beiyue scratched her head in confusion. Intuition? What's that? Can you eat it? Uhhh... whatever... "Why did you search for this fabric? Was it good?" It must be good if the Lady was searching for it and not looking at others, right?

"Well. It is precious." The Lady replied. "Once, there was a weaver. She is plain and not from a rich family, but her skill in weaving is something legendary. Her works would always be sold and sold at high prices. Alas, she died young due to war years back. I heard... there's one last work of hers before she died."

Beiyue nodded. Oh. No wonder the Lady wants it. She wonders how does the fabric look like. Is it that bea—huh?

Beiyue saw something further deeper in the box. She debates whether to point it out or reaching it by herself. Her curiosity wins. Throwing proper decorum out of the window, she bends over and starts 'digging' out the fabric until she, with great difficulty, pull out a fabric roll.

Now that she can see it clearly, she gasped. The fabric is beautiful! It was in the loveliest shade of pink that slowly turned red at the end or so she assumes). The fabric was weaved well. Maybe more than well. Beiyue is not an expert in weaving.

"Is this what you searching for?" Turning to the Star Lady, she holds out the fabric.

The Lady has her eyes lightened up. "Yes. Yes, it is." Taking the fabric off from Beiyue's hands, she held it tenderly. "This is what I was searching for. What can I do to repay you back?"

"T-there's no need for it." Beiyue stammered. "I-I'm glad to be assistance."

The Lady frowned as if this offends her.

"I can't." She said. "Since you helped me find this out, shall I make a dress for you?"

Beiyue turned red. "R-really, you shouldn't. I... I just want to help. You don't have to do it! A-after all mother will have the tailor made one for me." Then with a quiet voice, she muttered, "as if I don't have enough dresses. Why I need a new dress? My old ones are still good..."

"Because she wants you to be beautiful." Was the Lady's answer. "Do you know, little princess, that people easily misunderstood the likes of being beautiful with vanity? They are two different things. Being beautiful is to sate one's desire and make others happy. Being vain is to become the best just for the sake so others would be in awe. It's not vanity to feel to have a right to feel beautiful."

"Ahh." Beiyue nodded. "But... too many dresses..."

"Why not? As long as you don't go broke and not wasting time and material, while still being you."

Beiyue... didn't understand, but she nodded nonetheless.

"Oh. And one thing, little Princess." The Star Lady smiled. "An advice for a kind girl like you. Women are always thought to be feels [Inadequate] so they would always strive higher and higher, but those who chase impossible dreams forever waste their life and what they had. Better be yourself with all your perks and fault. It's a harder path, but the reward is worth all thorns, acid, and fire you went through."

And with that, she left after paying her purchase. Leaving Beiyue in befuddlement.

"...what?" The young princess croaked. Didn't understand what the Star Lady means. Always feeling Inadequate? What even is inadequate? Chasing dream and wasting life? Thorn? Acid? Fire? What? What does that mean? Beiyue didn't understand a word of it. It was too confusing and complicated for a five-year-old kid to understands!

"Beiyue! Come over here! Don't wander off!"

Ah, right! Mother! "Coming mother!"

Running to where her mother was, Beiyue pushed the whole ordeal out of her mind. Neither of the woman nor the exchange would occupy her mind until much, much later.