After Rain entered the tent, he saw the princess sitting gracefully inside, sipping tea while twirling a feather, no it looked like a feather found in a chicken wings but it was, in fact, a pen.

Rain recalled that ancient people use this kind of pen before.

Its name should be... a Quill Pen... right?

Dipped it slightly in a pitch black ink and you can start writing using it. Quite an interesting way to write – Rain mused. Ballpoint pen, Gel, Mechanical pencil and many other types of the pen had emerged overshadowing the quite difficult to use Quill Pen.

"Have a sit," The princess said when she heard his footsteps, turning around to look at him. She had a faint smile as if she was meeting a familiar friend.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Rain walked over to the table and poured himself a cup of tea from the kettle. “Now then, first of all, can you please tell me what this Aquarian Clan all about?”

“Going to the topic, immediately, huh…” The princess smiled faintly. “I like that.”

“… ..”

“Anyway, in our kingdom, the great Delouria Kingdom has 12 Great Noble Clans loyally supporting the throne for ages. Ariel, Taurun, Geminin, Canceras, Leon, Virgonium, Libran, Scorpium, Sagittarium, Capricorus, Aquarian, and lastly the Piscien clan.” The princess sipped her tea. “Originally, it was thirteen but the last clan was exiled due to a grave sin they had committed in the long past and had disappeared along with their history...”

Zodiac? Rain’s eyes widened in shock as he heard the clans named by Princes Leticia. The zodiac signs; Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces.

On Earth, Zodiac was derived from zodiacus, the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek zoidiakos kyklos, meaning "circle of little animals". The Zodiac signs corresponded to the constellations back on Earth… but, is that also similar in here?

Zodiac signs represent the division of the zodiacal circle into twelve equal parts, starting from the point where the Sun located at the beginning of spring. This means that no sign is defined by any constellation, but by a purely geometrical approach based on the seasons of the year.

Each astrological sign takes full 30 degrees of a circle and represents the beginning, the continuity or the end of one season – But that was only based on Earth’s circumstances. It was clearly different from these clans!

“Doram Leon and Garas Scorpium, two of the Kingdoms greatest holy knights were from the Leon Clan and Scorpium Clan, respectively,” The princess introduced the two men standing behind her.

“It’s a pleasure,” Doram curtsied while Garas only nodded his head indifferently.

“It’s my pleasure,” Rain nodded respectfully.

“And the lady behind you, Celis from the Geminin Clan,”

Rain turned and saw the girl before. She actually followed. Rain smiled nodded which she responded with a similar smile.

“And you, which unfortunately had forgotten was from the four Great Leader Clans among the 12 Great Clans; The Aquarian.”

“Great Leader Clans?”

“Aquarian, Taurun, Leon, and lastly the Scorpium Clan – they are considered the four Great Leader Clans among the twelve Great Clans as they were the ones who were setting up a solid foundation for the entirety of the Kingdom. They maintain the order of the Great Clans as well as the Kingdom,”

“… …”

“Their authority and power are only slightly below that of the Royal family… in which makes you a person above most people here,”

Rain listened to her and frowned. Was this the reason they were treating him nicely ever since he had arrived here? Most people can’t even sit beside the princess but he was actually given such privilege, was this because of his supposed to be Aquarian Clan?

Rain’s curiosity about the Aquarian was getting stronger and his thoughts of immediately coming back to the tribe slightly wavered. No! Lafetti and probably the whole tribe were certainly getting worried about him now. They must have been panicking.

“And do you think I’m a member of this…. Aquarian Clan?” Putting his thoughts aside, Rain crosses his legs as he stared at the princess. He looks so comfortable, so at ease with his body.

It seems that the Aquarian Clan’s prestige was quite impressive. Rain thought as he relaxes his body. Being wimpy seems to be quite strange…

Although he doesn’t know how long he could do it, it’s better to ride this small boat for now… at least with this, he was safe from the princess’ storm in the middle of this ocean.

Princess Leticia’s lips curled upwards. “It’s not whether I think or not, I’m certain that you are from the Aquarian Clan… sending you back is my own responsibility as a royal,”

Rain frown and stare down at her – though Rain managed to change it immediately. A calm smile suffused his face. “Is that so,” Sipping his tea for one last time, Rain stood up and bowed slightly towards her, “Well then princess, it’s nice meeting you…” He said as he turned around. “Please do excuse me,”

Rain caught the girl, Celis smiling at him though her eyes seem to be observing his every action and movement. Rain felt discomfort inside but he still showed a smile outside, “It’s nice meeting you Celis. If given a chance, I would happy to hear you play once again,”

“It’s my privilege,” Celis was startled at first but then she responded with a calm smile,

Rain nodded at her and was about to leave when,

“Where are you going?” a voice called out behind him. Even without turning around, Rain knows whose voice it was.

He turned to her, “Princess, it’s an honor to meet you, I really do.” He started. “I’m very thankful to you for saving my life; however, I don’t want to go to this, Aquarian Clan… as it wasn’t my real home.”

Rain said calmly. He decided to say it as he felt that the more he stays here, the harder it is to get away. From the princes' actions and tone, she seems to be hell-bent on bringing him back to this clan…

“I don’t remember being a noble nor do I want to… I’m already satisfied with what I currently am, thank you,”

“… …” Princess Leticia’s eyes widened as with the others. They haven’t expected for Rain to refuse.

“And, where are you going?”

“My current… family,”

The princess frowned. “May I know who they are?”

“Princess, with all due respect” and that amused, secret smile is back. “My matters are my own. My life wasn’t owned by the kingdom… hasn’t it?”

The Princess raises her eyebrows.

“Aquarian, show some respect!” Doram frowned as he spoke towards Rain. Garas also stared at him, frowning. “You’re in front of the first princess of the Kingdom!”

“I’m sorry, I was a bit too much,” Rain immediately bowed towards Princess Leticia – though his expression never showed any remorse or regret.

“Sit down,”

“… …” Rain felt the change from her voice and narrowed his eyes.

“I said, sit down… child of Aquarian,” A forceful tone unlike from before.

However, instead of feeling fear, Rain’s expression brightened and boyish grin suffused his face. “I’m finally seeing the real you, princess Leticia,” He said, with an indifferent smile.

Celis, Doram and even Garas felt the atmosphere rapidly becoming tense. The situation looked like it could explode at any time, worrying them.

“… Are you testing me, Aquarian?” A displeased voice echoed inside the tent.