Chapter 1 - A Collision

The city of Suncup was aptly named, sitting in the mountainous southern regions of the Flower Continent, it was securely nestled inside a ring of mountains, guaranteeing safety and the constant companionship of the sun's waves of heat. The city had taken advantage of the surrounding mountains to settle guard outposts in key spots to ensure that if anything came bearing ill intent, they would have been long prepared for it. The focus on protecting territory deterred bandits from preying on the roads leading to the city, and attracted folks from across the region to call it home. One of the largest factions of the groups of people that moves in were merchants, setting up stalls throughout the roads and plazas, the calls of deals and exchanging of coins were a noise as natural as the wind.

"Freshly carved thunder bear meat! Get it while you can!" came the cry from one of the many vendors that populated the street.

A young man approached with an arrogant expression on his face, wearing white robes adorned with gold trimmings that depicted a flower, one could instantly recognize him as a member of the royal family.

"Give me your entire stock" he said, throwing 5 gold coins towards the merchant peddling the meat.

"Right away Young Master" the merchant replied cheerfully, snatching the coins out the air while wearing his best business smile. (Just place the coins on the counter like a decent person....) he thought bitterly as he proceeded to wrap each portion of the meat and packaged it together.

"Thank you for your patronage!" the merchant said, bowing his head. The Young Master gave a curt nod in response, took the meat and made his way down the road.

As he walked, he bitterly thought about the series of events that led to him having to personally retrieve this meat, who would have anticipated that trying his hand at cooking to woo a woman would result in the entire kitchen burning down! A significant portion of the meat storage had also went up in flames....

"Wah!"

His thoughts were interrupted as he bumped into something, looking down he saw a young girl laying on the ground. The girl had white hair that flowed down to her shoulders, her round face had an aggrieved expression as her pink eyes brimmed with tears, he was unable to make out her figure in her oversized clothes marred by dirt. Narrowing his eyes, he scoffed.

"Insolent girl, use your eyes properly or this young master will pluck them out himself!" he barked, fiercely brushing his robes where the girl had touched.

Realizing who she had collided with, the girl quickly scrambled to her knees, bowing down so her head touched the ground.

"P-please forgive this lowly one for sullying your appearance! As penance for this crime I shall cast myself off the nearest mountain a dozen times!"

Before the man could respond, the girl had picked herself up and scurried off into one of the nearby alleys. Sighing, the man could only continue to travel the road back home, he had gotten what he original came out for. 'The meat is well worth the price' the man mused as his hand subconsciously went to his side.

"Huh? Where did my money go?"

Clink clink clink

The white haired girl, Reina Marigold walked down the alley she had previously sprinted into, a small smile on her face as she merrily tossed the bag of coins in her hand.

"The gods must be smiling at me today, to have run into a young master that would so foolishly tie so much money to his waist, I can finally eat good tonight!"

Reina hummed a song to herself cheerfully, already dreaming of the various types of meat she'd be treating herself to tonight.