Far from the Kingdom stands a small town. A lively place where laughter is always present.
There, a charming boy arrives on horseback. In search of information, he looks for a man who works at a nearby farm, just as the townsfolk told him.
When he reaches the place, he sees only one figure—red-haired, dressed in a farmer's attire.
"Good day, sir!" he greets warmly while reaching for the ground.
The person, startled by the sudden voice, quickly takes a defensive stance.
"I mean no harm. I came here solely to ask something. Cooperate with me, won't ya?" the boy explains himself to the man and proceeds to take a seat.
"About what? I know nothing." The man replies with a rough voice
Upon hearing the refusal, the boy puts a bag of coins on top of the desk.
"Ha! Now we're talking."
"So? What is it you wanna know?" his greed speaks for him.
The boy leans in to whisper,
"You know a person named Laine?"
"Hm?" the man raises his eyebrows.
"Laine? Laine the pretty boy you mean?"
"Is that what you people call him? Is he really as pretty as the rumours say?" Startled by the old man's claim, the boy makes a rather disgusted face.
After he gets what he wants, the boy finally decides to leave the farm.
Before leaving the town, he buys some food for his journey back to the kingdom. Suddenly, he catches sight of something in an alleyway. The boy thinks he sees someone familiar, and so he follows the figure.
But when he goes deeper into the alleyway, he loses his way back.
'Oh shoot..' he thinks.
His eyes glance around every corner, and finally find a shimmer of light. He quickens his pace to reach it, and ends up in a crowded place.
'Oh well, I guess this is the reason why they call this town a lively one. Why is this street so busy while the other one is quiet? Something's happening,' the boy thinks, but brushes it off—he just wants to go home.
And so, he finds his way back to the street he arrived at. With his horse, he continues his journey as the street falls behind him, its shadow fading into the distance.
In a quiet corner of the kingdom, Laine sits by his window, lost in thought. As tears fall down his cheek, he remembers his mother. Although he remembers what she looks like, her voice is beginning to fade from his memories.
'How long has it been since they were killed.. 5 years? I can't even remember mom's voice now.' His heart aches as he recalls the horrible death of his family.
They died trying to save one another—leaving him alone in this world full of cruelty. His mother had helped him to flee from the very home where their laughter once filled the halls.
Suddenly, his clock starts ringing, snapping him out of his thoughts.
'I should go to work today... That old man will not let me slide this time.' He stands up and sighs.
He puts on his vest, then reaches for the doorknob—only to find a tall, broad-shouldered man standing before him.
"Good morning. From now on, you'll be working for the corps." The man says, his deep voice adding to his intimidating presence.
"What?" Laine responds with confusion.
"Who are you?"
The man just stares at Laine before suddenly lifting him onto his shoulder.
"PUT ME DOWN! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT-"
"I do have the right. The King ordered me to use any means if you refused."
Laine's screams stop, and terror flashes across his face.
"The King? KING LOUISE? THAT'S EVEN MORE REASON FOR YOU TO PUT ME DOWN! I didn't even refuse you!" Laine shouts, panics flooding his voice.
"Confusion is more likely to be a sign of a refusal." The man claims.
Laine finally gives in to his fate. He doesn't know what's going on, but is still determined to escape.