In a manor on the outskirts of the Holy City, with the Reiss Ranch behind it, Historia sat at a white piano in a flowing white gauze dress. Her graceful fingers brushed each key forlornly, the music carrying an indescribable sorrow, as though telling a story of love and pain.
Outside the window, shafts of sunlight fell on her hairpin, making it gleam.
Just then, a black-haired, blue-eyed boy heard the piano before he entered. He slowed his steps and carefully made his way behind his mother, Historia, listening in silence.
He knew his mother was once again missing the father he had never met since his birth. He had heard legends about his father from far too many people, yet still had no clear sense of who he was. His father's old friends all looked after him, but rarely brought up his father of their own accord.
As the music gradually faded, Historia turned and saw her child. She slowly straightened up and smiled. "Nian, have you been waiting long?"
Chen Nian was the name of Historia's son, but he also went by another name: Tian Chen. Historia had taken it from a figure named Tian in an ancient book her older sister Frieda had given her-a man whose father had died in battle, but who had always treated the world with warmth and kindness.
Aside from Historia and the veterans of the 104th Cadet Corps, who called him "Nian," everyone around him called him "Tian."
Chen Nian shook his head. "No, I just got here, Mother."
"How was school today? Did you have a good time?"
"I did. The teachers all take good care of me," Chen Nian answered obediently, but Historia could tell at a glance from his expression that something was on his mind.
Historia drew