Ninym Ralei’s parents died in an epidemic, although she was too young to remember. Natra’s tightly knit Flahm community ensured she never felt lonely, though. No orphan was left behind, and everyone worked together to create a supportive environment and educate children. The most promising students were given the surname “Ralei” and sent to the royal palace to work for the good of their people. The Ralei Family had been established a century prior, and Ninym quickly blossomed within the organization. Other Flahm showered her with love in place of her birth parents, and she enjoyed her days as a child.
However, Ninym had felt something was off. Her skills were remarkable compared to her peers, and rumors assumed that she would one day serve the newborn Princess Falanya. The thought made Ninym swell with pride and confidence. However, that same excellence was the cause of so many peculiar stares she received from adults.
At first, Ninym believed it was due to her talents, but she swiftly realized that wasn’t the case. They saw beyond her skills. No ill intent hung in their gazes, yet they also held more than mere affection. Their looks were complex and twisted—like acts of worship.
Why did they treat her that way? Ninym felt lost and confused until the elders summoned her one day.
“You carry the blood of the Founder.”
The Founder. The heroic, red-haired Flahm who’d established their kingdom. His legend kept hope alive in the hearts of countless Flahm persecuted around the world.
Now Ninym finally understood. People gazed at her with such worship and adulation because her ancestry was practically divine.
She had one thought about this revelation.
Gross.
She was the descendant of a bygone hero. A Flahm of precious heritage. That’s why everyone praised her.
It was completely ridiculous. If her lineage could be traced back so accurately, surely the same was true of other Flahm. She had no doubt others carried a connection to the Founder. The “direct descendant” part was suspicious, too. The Founder’s line probably ended somewhere. The Flahm had likely decided to pass off an unrelated child as his scion. No one bloodline could be expected to last forever.
It’s disgusting…
If children Ninym’s age had revered her as a chosen one, she would’ve been innocently delighted. However, all the praise came from adults, and their words were paper-thin lies and delusions.
If Ninym was a true descendant, what would it change? Did the Flahm expect her to make a castle out of thin air or resurrect the dead with a word? Ridiculous. She was a child who possessed no such magical power.
It’s so revolting, I can’t stand it!
No one understood. They wholeheartedly believed the young girl was the latest in a line of divine treasures passed down through the ages. As long as her blood survived, the Flahm would rise again someday.
“Until our holy capital is rebuilt, Your Ladyship’s duty is to take care of your health and carry on the bloodline.”
The ugly truth dawned on her.
To the Flahm, Ninym wasn’t human. Sham or not, she was only a vessel meant to symbolize the Founder’s lineage.
Ninym fled the village that same day. She had no destination. Her only objective was to escape. Eventually, a forbidden forest came into view…
Several days after Ninym had stumbled upon the mansion in the forest, she rose before the birds, got dressed in her new bedroom, then hurried to prepare breakfast and draw a bath. She had yet to learn the ropes, so the results were admittedly clumsy.
All the same, Ninym managed to finish and quickly made her way down the hall. A man was waiting for her—Raklum.
“Good morning.”
“Morning,” he replied.
Raklum was a Natran soldier and the mansion’s only guard. His position by the door indicated its importance.
“The prince’s… His Highness’s bath and breakfast are ready.”
“Understood.” Raklum nodded and rapped lightly on the door beside him. “Pardon me, Your Highness.”
Ninym watched Raklum disappear behind the door and waited. Although it was plain fare, she’d put a lot of effort into breakfast and wanted Wein to eat first while it was still hot. She stood patiently while wondering if Raklum and the prince would ever come out.
The two appeared a few moments later, and Ninym gave an energetic bow.
“G-good morning!”
“Yeah,” the boy, Wein Salema Arbalest, answered flatly. He was the lord of this mansion and Natra’s true crown prince.
“Um, your meal and bath are ready. Which would you like first?”
Ninym was certain the prince would choose the former. She’d only been taking care of Wein for several days and knew very little about him. Furthermore, his blank expression made him impossible to read. Even so, Ninym had to constantly prove her usefulness if she hoped to stay.
Thus, Ninym did her best to glean Wein’s character. She didn’t get very far but at least understood he was someone who preferred to eat first thing in the morning.
“Guess I’ll take a bath first.”
Huh—?!
Ninym’s heart wailed as Wein defied her expectations. This was no time to let a surprise unsettle her, though. Wein set out down the hall, and she hurried after him.
I don’t get this boy at all…! She thought back to several days earlier and recalled his behavior as she pleaded for refuge.
✦ ✦ ✦
“I’m against it.” Raklum bluntly refused Ninym’s request. “Even if you are just a child, I cannot allow someone of unknown lineage to remain by His Highness’s side.”
He was absolutely right. If it had been anyone else, Ninym would’ve agreed.
“Your name is ‘Ninym,’ correct?” Raklum asked. “Might I assume you left home to escape danger?”
“No, not exactly…”
The man’s concern of abuse was understandable. He was entirely mistaken, though. Ninym was a cherished, priceless treasure. If she returned, she’d likely be confined for her safety.
“In that case, you may stay here tonight. I’ll return you to your parents tomorrow; I’m sure your family is worried. They’ll be upset, but fear not. I shall do my best to ease the situation.”
Raklum’s practical, well-intended suggestion troubled Ninym. Had she run off because of a fight with her parents or something similar, she would’ve already given up. But that wasn’t the case. Ninym refused to become the Founder’s vessel to perpetuate everyone’s selfish delusions.
But…
She’d left on impulse with no destination, and there were very few places a child, particularly a Flahm, could go. Ninym couldn’t flee the country and didn’t stand a chance outside civilization. If she had not found the mansion in the woods, it would have been no surprise if she’d turned up dead a few days later.
Regardless, the Flahm would catch up to Ninym soon enough, even if she moved between villages. Her people’s network in Natra alone was far-reaching.
Ninym’s back was to the wall. Her only options were to return home either under protest or stand on her own two feet. Still, her emotions wav—
“Do you really want to stay here?” Wein asked, interrupting Ninym’s doubts.
She gaped at him slightly, but the boy didn’t bother to repeat himself and simply stared back. His expression was as undecipherable as a mask, but the question was plainly no joke.
“Yes! Please, let me work here!” Ninym exclaimed eagerly.
“I see,” he said softly. “Okay, I’ll allow it.”
“Your Highness—” Raklum hastily tried to cut in, but Wein would not be dissuaded.
“Raklum, I’ll expect you to train her.”
A mere soldier wouldn’t dare refuse his prince’s command.
“…Understood,” he replied solemnly. Raklum turned to Ninym. His gaze bore no hostility, instead offering exasperation and admiration for this insistent young girl. “Come with me. First, you’ll help me in the kitchen.”
“O-okay! I’m ready for anything!”
And thus began Ninym’s life as a maid. Frankly, she wasn’t much help in the kitchen back then.