Beginning I

The seasons had changed time and time again. From the blossoming of flowers, the hot close night air in summer, the reddening of leaves in autumn and the cold winter nights.

Just like that, three years went by in the blink of an eye and Hina was already seventeen. Despite how fleeting the three years seemed, a lot of things had happened over the course of the changing seasons.

Hina had entered the academy and quickly became friends with a few people, her closest friends being Gen and Issey. The three were a popular stunning trio that shared several interests. In a stressful year and a half, she had graduated from the academy, coming out as the top overall student with perfect grades. It had been a huge surprise to the merchant who had thrown a small family party at the great news. Despite his obvious shock, Hina had expected that much after all her studying and reading. Indeed, her efforts did not betray her.

The passing years had been extremely different from anything she ever expected they would be like. For one, she and Tanaka had gotten very close, almost inseparable, as Tanaka's likeness for her increased by the day. She often reminded Hina of the younger sister she had in her previous life, stubborn and slightly hot-headed.

The two ladies sat in the exquisite French- rustic drawing-room, waiting for their host- lady Rebecca. The warm colours and cool-toned decor were very appealing to look at.

"I'm back, sorry I kept you both waiting" Rebecca announced as she walked into the room.

"It's fine," Hina said, taking a sip from her drink.

Rebecca plopped on the cushion, catching her breath as she sipped on her cup, enjoying the delicious coolness of the iced coffee.

"This..." she held out a beige velvet jewellery box,

"I want to give this to you, my lovely Hina," she said, presenting the small box to her.

"Open it" Rebecca added, pleased by the gift she had gotten for Hina.

"Wow! Its stunning" Tanaka, or 'Tanny' as Hina often called her, exclaimed in awe at the sight of the delicate pink baroque pearl earrings.

"Yes, it is" Hina noted, unable to take her eyes off the precious gem that she instantly recognised. It was one out of the several pieces of jewellery that Rebecca had bestowed upon Sakura during their tea times together. She could still recall the scene between the two ladies.

["But.. it's too much for me to accept, sister Rebecca" Sakura had said in surprise.

"Please don't think that way, my dear Sakura. It's nothing much. I just thought it would go so well with your hair" Rebecca had replied warmly]

"Hina? What are you thinking of so deeply?" Tanaka asked, breaking Hina away from her thoughts.

"Ah, nothing. I'm just... in awe of how beautiful they are.." Hina gave an awkward smile.

"Do you like them?" Rebecca asked her, her eyes glittering to gain some praise.

"Of course, I do. They're really beautiful"

"That's good to know!" She let out an exaggerated sigh,

"At first I was scared you may not like them because of the colour. I had tried to get some golden ones but they only had these designs in pink" she tried to explain.

[Of course, they only had this colour] Hina listened, unsurprised by the news, as she was originally not supposed to be the recipient of the gift. For some reason, it made her feel a type of way and she was a bit uncomfortable with the gift. She couldn't help but feel like she was taking something that wasn't rightfully hers.

"The jeweller said that these are the rarest and most elegant ones, so I got it while thinking of you" Rebecca added earnestly, her words making Hina feel slightly better about accepting them.

"Thank you very much, that's so sweet of you to do" Hina expressed her appreciation.

"But what's the special occasion, lady Rebecca? Besides that, you didn't get me any" Tanaka pouted.

"Ah- sorry about that, Tanaka. I'll get you something else soon" she told her,

"I got them because I just felt like it. I've also never gotten Hina anything before despite all she's done for me"

"Me? What have I done so grand to receive this?"

"Well, you've always been there for me, even when I was going through rough times. You were also there for me after my old man passed away and I was struggling..." Rebecca trailed off, a sadness in her warm brown eyes as she forced a smile.

Rebecca's father, Sir Laurent, had tragically died of heart failure a year ago. It was a rainy night with sullen skies when Hina had received a letter from the Laurent household about the unfortunate news.

The merchant had been away on business at the time and it was already very dark outside but Hina insisted on visiting the Laurent residence that night. Having informed the head maid of her whereabouts, she had stayed at the Laurent residence for a few days, from the beginning till the end of the entire process, until she was sure that Rebecca was mentally in a good space. She had been the greatest comfort to the depressed Rebecca in so many ways.

"That's such a long time ago. Besides, this must've cost a lot.." Hina protested.

"Either way, just accept it! No take backs!" Rebecca asserted, dismissing the sad thoughts that came to her mind.

"Fine, I will!" Hina said with a smile on.

"Oh! I see you're all here. It's been a while." A gruff voice announced from the door, interrupting their chitchat.

It was Rebecca's younger brother- Thomas Laurent. Although taller than her, he looked very much like his sister. They both had beautiful brown skin and clear brown eyes with sleek brown hair. He was a handsome young man with a nice physique and he drew the attention of several young ladies in the city. However, he had a rotten ego and a perverse behaviour to match. He visited the whore house more than any other man in the entire Empire and often made sneer remarks about how he could get any woman he wanted in the Empire. Despite his good looks, everything about him was simply repulsive to Hina. He was like a slimy creature that she tried to avoid.

Luckily, Hina was not the only one that disliked the young man.

"And I'd like to keep it that way, Sir Thomas" Tanaka admitted as she barely glanced at him.

"I'm not here to see you either, Tanaka" he stated, taking a seat next to his sister.

"I thought you were going out with some friends?" Rebecca asked, her gentle way of telling him to leave.

"No, not anymore. I'd rather stay here in the presence of the beautiful lady Hina" he replied with a slimy smile that creeped Hina, giving her goose pimples.

"Thanks for the compliment Sir Thomas but we're actually leaving now" Hina replied with a fake smile.

From his constant vulgar remarks and the lustful manner in which he eyed her, Hina had quickly picked up on the disgusting fact that Thomas was interested in her. She made a conscious effort to avoid him, knowing nothing good would come from being associated with him in any way.

"Already?" Rebecca and Thomas asked almost at the same time, disappointment crossed over their faces.

"Yes, sadly. It's already evening and we promised to be home before dinner time" Hina said, amazed at her smooth lie.

"Father doesn't like us being out after sunset, that's why" Tanaka added for her.

"Can we meet tomorrow at the cafe? There's some news I'd like to share with you two" asked Rebecca.

"Yes, we will be there" Hina assured her.

"Okay. See you next time" Rebecca hugged the two ladies as they made their way out of the room.

"Of course. No need to walk us out, lady Rebecca. See you tomorrow"

Hina and Tanaka departed the drawing-room, passing through the spotless foyer as they left the house.

As the ladies climbed into the carriage, Tanaka exploded with her audible thoughts.

"Ugh! I can't stand that pervert, Thomas. How doesn't he barf whenever he sees his reflection in a mirror?" Tanny grumbled in utter displeasure.

"You really dislike Thomas, don't you?" Hina said, curious to know the exact reasons. Aside from herself, it was odd to find another young lady that wasn't drooling over the man.

"Of course. There's nothing to like about him"

"I agree with that observation," Hina said seriously and they both laughed, spending the rest of the carriage ride bad-mouthing Thomas the womanizer.