1 Chapter 1: Claire

9 YEARS LATER

The sunlight shines bright through the clouds; what a beautiful spring day.

The air is wonderful here as always, I would never get tired of this.

"Claire! Are you done harvesting those tomatoes?"

Someone called out to me, Elina.

"Already finished! I'm coming over there now!" I replied standing up with the basket of tomatoes in my hands.

I ran through the field towards Elina, she's like a mother who raised me so well. "You don't have to do this you know, your 10th birthday is tomorrow, and I don't want to see my little girl working too much" She said as she patted my head.

"I told you, it's fine! I love working in the fields! Especially on a lovely sunny day like this" I exclaimed with a grin. Elina chuckled "Okay okay, just don't overwork yourself. Now come on, I heard Joshua's coming over"

I widened my eyes "Joshua?! Why didn't you tell me sooner? Let's go!" I grabbed her hand then started to speed walk

"Slow down Claire, I don't have that much stamina as you have" Elina sighed but still tries to match up my pace.

It's finally my 10th birthday! I'm so excited. Joshua said he has a special gift for me when I turn 10. Joshua and I have been friends since we were 3 years old, we grew up together and he's the only close friend I have around the Town. I'm happy with this life, as I have people who raised me as if they were my real parents. Elina and Sage are farmers and were the ones who raised me kindly, they're nice and treated me as if I was their own. Sage said that they found me outside their doorstep when I was a baby, and eventually they took me in.

I would always wonder where my real parents were. Are they still alive? Why did they abandon me? I thought to myself. But living here, with these people who continuously care for me...I'm already satisfied with it.

Arriving at our house, I instantly opened the door. Revealing Joshua sitting on the couch while eating bread with Sage. "Joshua!" I hugged him, he groaned and laughed. "Hey Claire! You're late" He said then lightly smacked my head.

"Ow! Stop doing that!" I pouted then snatched the bread he was eating.

"Hey, that's mine!"

We laughed as he chased me around the living room. "Calm down kids, don't go breaking things" Sage said as he stood up to help Elina with the vegetables. "Wait here Josh. I have something to do in my room" I said then started to run up the stairs.

"Alright~"

I reached my bedroom and immediately went to my desk to get a basket, and a small plate I use to eat some fruits when I'm reading books. Afterwards, I walked back downstairs "Alright I'm done! Let's go!"

"You kids be careful, okay?" Eline said as she waves goodbye. "We will!" Both of us responded as we run outside. Joshua and I kept laughing as we headed to our play area.

"Hello Claire! Giddy as ever I see!" We passed by Sage's friend who was also a farmer.

"Good day to you too, Mr. Clark!" I exclaimed with a smile.

"Good Morning Claire! Your red hair stands out as always"

"Hello Claire! I'll cook something delicious for your birthday tomorrow!"

"Claire Let's play together later!"

"Famous as ever" Joshua smirked at me and I just chuckled. As you noticed, I'm well known in this town. Being the only person who has Red hair and Golden eyes. Elina said it was a rare thing to have those features here, like I belonged to another place. Well I guess I accept it as a unique trait of mine.

After a few minutes of reaching our destination, we finally got to the place, the town's Lake. Its' water was pretty and clear with a refreshing atmosphere to relax and play freely. "Hey Claire, you got another batch of berries?" Joshua asked as he looked at the basket of berries I'm carrying. I nodded "yup! And you know what that means?" I smirked and he grinned.

"Let's go!" We laughed as we run into a certain location near the lake which was a secret spot between the two of us. It was a forest but there's a specific area which was exquisite, and its where I found him.

When we reached the area, I kneeled down and placed the basket on the grass. Joshua followed my lead.

"Mr. Fox! We're back! And I bought you another set of berries!" I yelled out. We waited for a fox to appear somewhere in the bush. The fox I'm calling out was also my friend! I found him here when I was 5 years old and got lost in the forest. I was crying that time because I didn't know what to do. The fox appeared in the bushes and comforted me; it was strange because it had 9 tails but it was really soft! Mr. Fox helped and guided me the way out of that forest. Since then, I always came back here to feed him berries in return for his good deed. I told Joshua about it so now he would always come with me to see him.

While we were waiting, we heard the bush move. I got excited and smiled. There, revealing the brown fox with his large 9 tails. "Hello Mr. Fox! Here's another set of berries!" I handed for him to eat. The fox approached the basket, he sat and started eating the berries.

Joshua stared in awe "He's big. And I can't believe he has 9 tails!"

"I know right! And very fluffy too!" I looked at Mr. Fox, enjoying his food.

"Mr. Fox, may we touch your tails?" I asked with my pleading eyes. Mr. Fox looked at me for a while and it looked like he sighed a bit then placed his tails in front of us. "Yay!" We cheered as we dived in his soft tails.

After hours of us playing with Mr. Fox, it was starting to get late. "We should go back now Claire" Joshua said as he stands up. "Yeah" I stood up as well and Mr. Fox was ready to go back as well. I smiled.

"Goodbye Mr. Fox! See you!" I said waving goodbye. "Why not give him a name you know? So, it'll be easier" Joshua said, crossing his arms. "I want to, but I'm not good at thinking names" I frowned.

Joshua started to think. "How about berry, because he likes them" Suddenly, dirt flew at Joshua, Mr. Fox looks displeased. I laughed while Joshua groans because of the mess.

"I don't think he likes that, Josh" I said, still laughing at him.

"Well sorry Mr. Fox! Geez, you don't need to do that" He said while pouting. Mr. Fox's turned his head away. Joshua sighed "Let's just go, Claire" I nodded and bid a last wave of goodbye to the Brown Nine Tailed Fox.

While me and Joshua walked back home, I remembered my curiosity about Joshua's so called special present he has for me. "Hey Josh, aren't you going tell me about your present for me tomorrow?"

"Oh that" He smirked and then glanced at me. He grabbed my shoulders with a wide grin on his face.

"I'm going to take you to the Empire's Capital!"

I processed my mind for a second, to check what he said. The Capital? Don't tell me...

"Do you mean...The Empire's Capital?! As in... the Quartz capital?!" I asked one more time with my eyes shining to confirm if it was really true. Joshua nodded happily.

I can't believe it! I'm going to see the Quartz capital! From what I heard from Joshua's father who works there as a librarian, Quartz was a beautiful town where the nobility lives.

"Seriously Josh?! I'm so happy! Thank you so much" I hugged him tightly. He giggled and ruffled my hair.

"Of course. Happy Birthday Claire" He said while smiling. I let go and pat his brown hair.

"How are we going get there? Didn't your father said we can't be there since we're commoners, unless we work there" I asked.

"Dad is coming back tomorrow to pick us up, because he needs to get some documents he left here. He said we can come as long we don't attract attention!" He exclaimed while I nod.

I finally reached home, bidding Joshua a good bye and thanking him for walking me home. I greeted Elina and Sage that I'm home then went straight to my bedroom to change into my pyjamas.

While changing, I noticed my birthmark on my right shoulder. Its a small diamond shape and I think its cute! I smiled while looking at it in my mirror. After changing my clothes, someone knocked on my door.

"Claire sweetie, are you still awake?" Oh, its Elina.

"Yep!" I opened the door and see her smiling softly.

"Do you still want me to tuck you to bed?" She asked still smiling with her eyebrows raised.

I chuckled "Of course!"

I let her in as I climbed up my bed and laid down with the blanket. Elina tucked me in as she hums a melody. Her voice is really soothing and I like it.

"Elina" I called out.

"Yes?" She looks at me while smiling."Can you tell me more about how you and Sage found me?" I asked. I wanna know more about it, because I'm really curious. Elina stared at me for a second and nodded.

"Well, we found you in our doorstep. All cuddled up with blankets" She grabs a chair near by and sat beside me.

"You we're crying. So we got you inside quickly since it was already late" She continued.

"There was a note beside you that says Claire Sienna. Seeing that, we knew it's your name. Me and Sage doesn't have a child since I can't get pregnant, so we just live together peacefully" She started to smile sadly when she said that she couldn't have a baby.

"When you came, we thought we could adopt you but you already have a name. Meaning, you came from another family already. We don't want to lie to you when you grow up. So we decided to keep it and raise you" She grinned as she holds my hand gently.

I smiled back "Thank you for telling the truth. You and Sage are good people. I'm glad you guys were the one who raised me"

"Of course dear. But, once your real family finds you. We won't be able to live together again, you know?" She said.

I instantly sat up "No way! I will visit you many times!" I exclaimed while pouting. She just giggled and nodded.

"Okay, sweetie. I know you will" She sighed and clasped her hands as she stood up.

"Alright, go to sleep. Its your birthday tomorrow so you need to look fresh" She kissed my forehead then started walk to the door.

"Good night, my little princess"

I smiled "Good night!" After Elina left, I sighed and just embraced my soft blankets. I'm glad that my window is near my bed, so I can see the stars. They're shining beautifully again.

I can't wait to go to Quartz. I've always wanted to go there ever since I saw an artist from our town made a painting of it. It was so beautiful, making me want to see it in real life! Now's my chance!

That's where the Empire kingdom is, so it means the Imperial Family is there. Where I live, we don't know anything about the Empire, only the people from Quartz. All we know is that the Emperor has three sons and that one of them would be the heir to the throne...

I wonder what kind of people are they?