Chapter 1 : A beginning of an endless fairy tale

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?”

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