When she is first introduced, Raphtalia begins as a very shy and sickly child who fears for her life. Her village and family had just been destroyed by the waves, she was captured by slave catchers and sold to an evil nobleman. When she became seriously ill, she was sold and expected to die. This left her in a very vulnerable state of health and mind, made worse by her constant nightmares at night. When she was bought by Naofumi, she had lost all hope for the future.
