Once upon a time, there lived a woman who brought misery to everyone.

【 Aria Salustina 】

A blessed name for a horrible monster such as her. She bewitched everyone with her beautiful voice, but that voice... enjoyed blood.

She was born by human parents and yet, the monster horribly took her parents' lives and cut them into pieces. The woman, who enjoyed blood, soon got tired of it. She wandered aimlessly, in sought of something to make her happy.

Then, one night, at a marketplace, She met a woman. That woman had a beautiful voice. But she was not like her. Aria talked to the gentle woman who welcomed her. With gentleness, the woman spoke: “Your beautiful voice is as beautiful as no other”

Aria who heard that had an idea.

‘I will perform in front of the people! Maybe, they will rejoice hearing me! Just as they did to the other woman!’

So, she stood in the middle of the streets, untied her hair and began singing. Everyone stopped and looked at her. She was beautiful like no other. Her voice was bewitching and Euphonious!

Aria found it great. Seeing people smile instead of seeing them scream in agony and hate. She thought that humans were not that bad.

But then, as soon as she stopped singing, a woman shouted and pointed at her, screaming on top of her lungs and said: “That woman is a witch! Go away from her, at once!”

Everyone panicked and disappeared from her sight. The witch stood there, waiting for a single soul to return. However, they did not. Alone in the evening, she looked up and saw countless stars.

When would she become a star?

...****************...

“Is that how the story ends?” I asked and looked at my uncle who stopped. His eyes wavered and I Wondered. What did he think then?

Softly, his hand landed on my head and smiled at me. “Aria, don't you find it fascinating that you have the same name as the witch in the story?” He asked.

I did not know what he meant. Maybe, I Should have known from the beginning.

“No, not really uncle.” I answered. My rosy cheeks then attracted my uncle's fingers to pinch it, and I giggled. “Aria... When I'm gone––” “Uncle!! There's no way you will leave me... right?” I cut him. Hearing that he would be gone someday made my young heart back then sting.

He was the only one I relied on as a child. “Well, when you become an adult. You will leave me someday, too.” He teased.

“No other guy is better than uncle!” I said in response and laughed. He fell silent then looked at me once again. “When you grow up... Just remember to deviate from the Aria of the story, my child”

Somehow, he got me to believe him as my young eyes drowned on the wavering green eyes of my uncle that seemed to be telling the truth.

“Soon... You will find out, my precious child”

I couldn't get it out of my head.

Just as he said, a few years passed by, and my uncle passed away. I had grown a bit taller than last time, and I was able to live by myself. I couldn't rely on someone any longer.

I HUMMED as I picked up my broom, dancing around, twirling in the messy wooden house. I had no one living with me ever since my uncle passed away a year ago. With my hands placed on my waist, a huge sigh came out of my lips. “This is so messy! No one would even think only a single person lives here...!” I complained to the air.

Falling to my knees out of exhaustion, I sighed. “How I miss my uncle...” But quickly, I decided to erase the sadness and remorse in my heart.

“Anyway... Since I'm on the right age, it must be time for me to find my work on the capital!” I smiled to myself. Then with my spirits high up again, I cleaned the house happily while humming.

Then, a knock interrupted me. “Aria! Are you there? Aria! Aria Salustina! Come answer me!” The woman's voice relentlessly shouted at the door, continuing to knock endlessly as if I couldn't hear her.

I hurriedly threw my broom on the floor and ran to the door. My hands reached the door knob and opened it to see a middle-aged woman with a basket on her arm.

【 Eliotte 】

She's Mrs. Eliotte from next door who had done nothing but annoy me. But seeing a basket on her hand... What is she up to this time?

“Yes, Mrs. Eliotte?” I asked with a forced smile.

She looked at the house first before batting an eye to me. What does she want?

She then scoffed and rolled her eyes. “I found this in your uncle's basement. I don't need such things in my house anyway, take it.” She said and turned. “Hey wait! Why did you come to uncle's base––” Before I could grab her arm, she pushed the door back and closed it making me stumble and fall backwards.

“Ow... That hurts” I looked at my feet, and it was bruised. It might have been twisted. I massaged my feet until I calmed down and then looked at the door. “That old hag...!”

My eyes then wandered at the basket. “Huh?” My fingers ventured inside it and my eyes following along. The basket contained of letters and what's this..? A fairy tale book?

“I didn't think my uncle would fancy fairy tales...” I chuckled at myself then cleaned the dust off the book. I gasped as I read the title.

“....Siren?”

I flipped the book open, and my eyes widened as I read every part of the book.

【 Aria Salustina 】

According to the book, she was not a witch. She was a siren. Even though the book talked about her, the fairy tale she had was nothing but tragic.

“Why would this be...?”

And what's more ominous was... “No… No way…!” I covered my mouth as I gasped.

【 Serene 】

[Serene is the birth mother of the siren, Aria, who died due to the Snow's horrifying cold. She gave her child to her cousin, Simeon before her death]

“Why is mother... And uncle's name... here?” A lot of questions filled my head. Did uncle write this? Or maybe... Did Mrs. Eliotte write this in order to make a fool out of me? ‘ No, its impossible. She doesn't know my mother's name ’

But then... How?

That was then, my uncle's words passed my mind.

“Deviate from Aria Salustina of the fairy tale”

So was I the witch everyone hated? No... I checked myself a thousand of times. I was a normal human.

“Th-this... This is of course some kind of joke... I see...” I laughed then hurriedly hid the book on the bookshelf.

There's no way I'm a siren.

...****************...

A month passed, and I finally decided to go to the capital of the empire. Everyone was busy and it's loud. I could feel the warm breeze of the air as I stepped my foot inside the border.

I came upon two knights standing guard on the capital's gate and I kindly greeted them. “Hello, sir knights!” I waved. They only nodded at me and remained their serious expressions. I wonder if the knights are usually like this.

Holding luggage in my two hands, I felt that it had started to burden my arms and shoulders. “It's too heavy” I murmured. Then, as minutes passed, before my hands gave up, the line has perished, and I was finally there.

A brown haired woman with Hazel eyes, kindly smiled at me. She had a peculiar glasses too. “Hi, What is your name?” She asked. Her voice was deep and graceful.

‘She must be a noble lady’ I figured.

“My name's Aria Salustina, Ma'am” I introduced. She then checked my profile and frowned. “Did you dye your hair, Aria? Your profile previously had clear light blue...”

“I did ma'am, I'm sorry if it caused inconvenience”

“No, no. Aria, you look stunning with red hair. Your golden eyes perfectly fit well with it. Now then, Shall I cast a little magic on you? It's for identification process, there's no need to worry” She laughed, and I nodded. With hesitation, I slowly came near her, and she tapped my forehead.

Nothing happened. She let me in soon after, and I turned back to look at her. Somehow, she had a strange expression. “I think I'm overthinking it...”

......................

I am finally in the capital. It was a beautiful place, it was more beautiful than my hometown. It was not barren like my previous home place did. And everyone... more importantly, looked rich.

“Are they nobles? Crazy how they stroll everywhere” I laughed silently. I really thought that rich nobles would prefer to stay in their houses instead of mingling among commoners. “Well, not my business”

With my luggage on my back, I quickly started to move in search of the manor that I would be working on. I heard that it has quite a good reputation among commoners, so my worries has vanished.

“But then... I'm lost?”

THIS CAPITAL IS TOO HUGE...!

But then, I felt a soft tap behind me. “Excuse me, Ms?”

Her voice was angelic and I gasped. She was a beautiful lady with blonde hair and green eyes. Her eyes were like emerald, and it reminded me of my uncle.

“Do you need my help?” I asked, but then I laughed at myself for asking so, even if I, am the one in most need of it. “No? I think you do, Ms...?”

“Aria” I said and closed my eyes In pure embarrassment. “Ms. Aria, where are you headed to? I could take you there.”

“No, no need! I feel bad troubling you! I can find my own way... I guess?” As I uttered those few words, I felt like something inside me clashed.

The first was, Why would I refuse the help I really need? And the second was screaming, This lady shouldn't be troubled by insignificant me.

Then I gave up as I saw her turn. I contemplated a bit about it, but I reached at her sleeves. “W-wait! I-i... want to go to the... marquess' manor...” I softly and silently said under my breath. She must've noticed I recently fought with myself, so she laughed then started to walk.

“Just follow me then, Aria!”

I nodded in obedience and followed the kind-hearted lady.

But...

‘Why did it feel like she resembled the woman who talked to Salustina of the fairy tale?’

I'm definitely overthinking things.

Or so I thought.