Chapter Text
Once upon a time, a single drop of sunlight fell from the heavens.
And from this small drop of sun, a magic golden flower bloomed. Its petals shimmered with an inner light, carrying the power to heal the sick and mend the wounded. Legends whispered that a single touch from its bloom could restore life itself.
Centuries passed. Kingdoms rose and fell. And in one quiet corner of the world, hidden among moss-covered stones and twisting vines, an old woman discovered the flower.
You might want to remember her. Her name was Mei, and she was about to become very important.
Instead of sharing the Sun’s gift with the world, Mei hoarded its power for herself. Every time age began to creep into her bones, she would cradle the flower in her hands, sing a special song, and watch the years melt away. The golden glow would wrap around her, keeping her young, beautiful, and alive for hundreds of years.
A hop, skip, and a short boat ride away stood the prosperous kingdom of Musutafu. It was ruled by a beloved King and Queen—Kazuki and Otohime—whose people adored them for their wisdom and kindness.
But joy in the palace had turned to fear.
The Queen was going to have a baby… and she had fallen gravely ill. The royal healers had tried everything. Day by day, her strength faded. The kingdom held its breath as the Queen’s life slipped away, along with the life of her unborn child.
That was when people began to look for miracles.
And in this case, the miracle was a magic golden flower.
Mei had kept her precious bloom hidden for so long that she believed no one would ever find it. But when the King’s soldiers scoured the land in desperation, they stumbled upon the glowing blossom. They plucked it without hesitation and rushed it back to the palace.
That night, the Queen drank a tea brewed from the golden petals.
The magic worked.
Color returned to her cheeks. Strength filled her body once more. And not long after, a healthy baby girl was born.
The princess had her father’s fiery spirit and her mother’s grace—but most striking of all was her hair. It wasn’t the soft brown of her mother or the ash blond of her father. It was golden. Radiant. Shining with the same warm light as the flower that had saved them both.
They named her Reika.
For one brief, perfect night, the kingdom rejoiced. Candles burned in every window. Music filled the streets. The royal family was whole.
But in the shadows just beyond the palace walls, an old woman watched with cold, hungry eyes.
Mei had lost her flower. The source of her eternal youth was gone. Yet as she stared at the glowing windows of the royal nursery, she noticed something impossible.
The baby princess’s hair… glowed.
Just like the flower.