It's been a whole week since you came to Judith Manor and became a part of the Judith family. Things have been awkward, to say the least. They didn't know how to treat you and you didn't know how to interact with them.

But you were glad it didn't turn out to be another story of cinderella and an evil stepmother with evil stepsisters.

They treated you well. Though you felt more like a stranger than part of the family. But you think everything would turn out to be better once you warm up to them and they stop treating you like a little animal from the zoo.

But for now...

"Where the hell are you, you stupid cat? Please don't tell me you're causing yet another havoc."

You made sure to keep your voice down as you navigate through the halls. You didn't want the maids to start gossiping about you and how brazen you are. You mean anyone would be astounded if they saw a 6-year-old cursing out loud.

But to your bad luck, someone with extremely good hearing heard your scandalous words. The one who shadowed you everywhere since you came to the Manor. Reprimanding you for your unruly behaviour.

Smack!

"Ow!!" You yelped in pain.

"A lady does not cuss. It's unbecoming of a decent lady." Rosalia's voice reached your ears as you rubbed your sore head. You looked at her, stunned.

What the heck?! Where did you come from? What are you a ninja?? Did you train yourself to be a shadow ninja just to follow me undetected!?

"But I didn't even say it out loud. How did you hear it?!" You cried out cradling your sore head. Who knew a small measly fan packed so much punch?

"A lady should always pay close attention to their surroundings." Rosalia closed her hand fan as she looked at you in disapproval. Her waist-length brown hair was tied up in an elegant bun decorated with flowers that matched well with her lilac gown.

"Why the hell do you sound like a strict sergeant?" you muttered under your breath. Thankfully she didn't hear you this time.

"Sister, you should go easy on her. She's from a village. I don't think they teach etiquette to girls. Or how to behave like a proper lady." Penelope's soft voice echoed in the hallway as she made her way to you. Shoulder-length hair bounced as her hands clutched her pink dress up lightly. Her steps were graceful for her small frame.

Oi, should I take that as an insult?

"Hmph. That's why I'm doing my best to teach her. I don't want people to look down on her." Rosalia peered at you as you flinch under her gaze. "She has potential. We just need to unlock it and soon she'll be one of us and shedding her village persona."

Seriously, village persona.....

Penelope smiled sweetly. "Of course, sister. I'm truly sure she will. But she doesn't seem to be interested in becoming one of us. At least that's what Mother says."

Darn it, your mother-- I mean our mother got some sharp eyes.

You flinched again. Yes, yes you were guilty. You truly didn't want to be a decent, well-behaved lady they want to mould you in. You were your person and the thought of becoming a rigid lady drove you up a wall.

Rosalia opened her fan with an elegant move. "She'll become one of us if she doesn't want to be an outcast."

Eh?! You threatening me, girl!? Bullying a little innocently cute child just because you got a couple of years over her, you bully!!

Before you could retort a sassy remark, a maid came and bowed.

"Milady, your mother had requested your presence." The maid's head remains in a bowing position.

"Tell mother I'll be there in a minute" Rosalia replied nodding towards the maid.

"As you wish."

The fading footsteps of the maid echoed in the hallway. You shifted from one foot to another as you waited for them to leave so that you could go on hunting for your cat.

Penelope was the first one to leave. "Have a good day, little sister."

I was having one until you came along and ruined it.

You thought drily. Something about her rubbed you the wrong way. Maybe the way she could be condescending and yet be sweet about it. You need to be wary of her.

Your thought vanished as Rosalia spoke.

"I know it's overwhelming right now but we are doing it for your good." She sighed as she looked at you, bringing her hand to pat your head softly. Saying those last words Rosalia left. Leaving you bewildered and a bit guilty.

Maybe she ain't all that bad. Maybe I'm judging too fast...

You knew they were trying to help. But you didn't like the fact they looked down on you for being a village girl. You sighed as your eyes flickered to the end of the hallway. The rift between you and them was unavoidable. The beliefs and ideals drilled into their mind were bound to create tension between you and them. You were a modern-day girl who didn't believe in being a rigid 24/7 well-behaved lady. You could be a lady and still be unruly. What was wrong with that? And being a dress-up doll didn't sound fun at all.

There's a snowball chance in hell you'd change. Imagine being a lady. Ha! Can't see that happening anytime soon...

You decided to shrug off their words before it turns your mood sour. You continued in your hunt.

"Ether!" With a shout, you moved along forgetting all about the encounter.

Your hunt took you to the garden that connected to the small forest. It acted like a shield wall from ambush. Though it was a double-edged sword. The possibility of intruders hiding in there was high. But since there are stand-in guards it wasn't a thing to worry about.

"There you are!"

You sighed in relief when you saw Ether sitting on a boulder, his twin tails wiggling in the air. He turned to you, his heterochromia eyes looking mischievous.

"You stupid cat. Why do you have to worry me too much? Can't you tune down your shenanigans here?" You muttered irritated. "I don't want you to be thrown out because you decided to mess around."

The cat tilted his head, blinking slowly at your words.

"Don't you dare act innocent!" You snapped. "Because of you, I got in trouble too. Just because you decided it'd be funny to rip Penelope's dress. The poor girl was crying."

The cat snickered, bringing up his paw and licking it leisurely.

Okay, maybe it was half her fault too. She shouldn't have tried to mimic you in patting Ether when he was hissing at her like a certain serpent you knew.

"You think it's funny!?" You storm towards him ready to give him a piece of mind. The cat blinked and his head rose skywards looking intently. "Yeah, you better pray to your lord -whoever he is or she is- because today I had it with you. You better ready yours--Gah!!!!!"

Your angry ramble gets cut off when suddenly something heavy drops on you. You toppled over with a yelp which soon turns into a painful grunt when your breath gets knocked out of you. You hear a squeak of surprise sounding strangely cute.

You breathe out heavily. "Get off. Get off."

Something scrambled off you and you finally took a deep breath. Feeling your lungs relax from the pressure.

"W-who are you?"

A sweet, cutely shaky voice asks you. How can a voice sound so cute?

You turn on your back and blink at the sight before you. You blinked once. Twice. Thrice.

You even rubbed your eyes but the sight didn't vanish.

There in front of you sat a nervously anxious boy, couple of years older than you who was owlishly looking at you with a gaping mouth.

Blonde hair scattered in the air like sunrays when the breeze blew. The shade of the tree shadowed his features but one thing stood out most: his eyes. Big sapphire eyes blinked, mesmerizing you. They look like jewels sparking a bright blue.

Oi, snap out of it!

"Uh, I should be the one asking you that. What are you doing here out of the blue? Literally."

He blinked before opening his mouth only to close it. He shuffled backward, his figure stiffen and awkward. His body radiated off hesitance and suspicion like you were the one who intruded on his private property.

Wow, his eyes. They're so damn cool.

You shamelessly stared into his eyes which was hard since the boy would sneak a glance at you before looking away quickly, flustered otherwise remaining quiet.

Boy, you mute?

You looked at his stiffen posture that fidgeted in awkwardness. This little guy here was painfully shy or awkward or maybe both. Taking pity on him you decided to break the ice.

"Huh, I always thought the myth about crane-dropping babies was ridiculous. But here you are proofing myself wrong."

He turned to look at you, blinking his big beautiful, unique sapphire eyes. You momentarily paused looking at him dazed.

You looked at the sky. "Where did the crane go? Did it vanish after dropping you? But aren't you too old to be considered a baby?"

He shook his head from side to side making his messy hair flutter in the air. He tried to avoid your intense look feeling the heat rise on his cheeks. A bead of sweat rolled down his cheeks.

He still seems to be bewildered and confused, maybe even shocked. Probably because you can't seem to take your eyes off him and his jewelled eyes, creeping him out.

"T-the crane didn't d-drop me. I came here.." He hesitated at his next words. Weighing them. "..accidentally."

"So are you a ghost? Sup! I never met such a cute ghost before!!"

"N-no... I'm not a ghost!" He squeaked, jumping in his place.

"Then a.." you tilted your head, your brows furrowed in thought. "..fairy or baby elf..?"

"N-no. I'm not an f-fairy!" A choked strangled sound emitted from his throat. Strangely sounding like a cat yawning. Cute.

An assassin...? But he was too young. Looking at his big innocent eyes you doubted he ever thought of hurting a fly let alone a person.

"I just appeared here by accident. I was trying to get away but I..um...." He stuttered, a cute voice trailing off. He ducked his head down in embarrassment as he started shaking softly.

"You mean you appeared out of the blue by....accident." You spoke sceptically. "I don't if it's just me but I think that's impossible."

"N-no it isn't. My mana acted up." As soon as he said those words a look of horror crossed his visage. He clamped his mouth shut as he looked wide-eyed at me.

It took you a few seconds as the words processed themselves before you burst out shocked. "You have magic?!"

He paled even more as his shaking became more apparent. The poor boy looked like he'd collapse any moment or bolt away screaming.

Seem like he blurted out something he didn't plan to. Or was forbidden to? Looking at the poor boy, you shot up from your fallen state and sat crossing your legs and beckoned the nervous boy to sit beside you.

The boy looked at you nervously before eyeing your outstretched hand. Ignoring your hand he shuffled close but kept his distance.

"So..." You trailed off blanking out. What the heck do you even ask or say? A boy appeared out of the blue and was probably as shocked as you, maybe even petrified, how do console him?

A lightbulb popped on your head as you grinned at the boy who flinched.

"Let's start with an introduction. Then you can explain how you got here." You exclaimed waiting for the boy to agree.

He blinked, tilting his head. He looked deep in thought before slowly nodding.

"Ah, you're worried about stranger's danger, right? My mom taught me that too. So let's start with becoming uh, un-strangers..?" You continued to ease the boy and make him comfortable.

"Okay. Let me start. I'm (Y/n) and you got some really pretty eyes."

His cheek flushed as he looked at you flabbergasted and stunned at your honesty. As soon as you locked eyes he ducked his head down, cheeks flushed.

You inwardly swooned at his cute shy behaviour.

"Now it's your turn. Tell me!"

He seems to hesitate. His eyes darted back and forth which looked like an adorable panicked puppy. He took a deep breath before finally saying "I'm...Claude"