Some background info of the world they live in is that any living thing has a soul. (Heavily inspired by Native American animism.) That includes plants, animals, and creatures, but doesn't include things like rocks or dirt.

When Ren was born as a human child, a red flower died in his mother's garden, which unbeknownst to her, had a faerie guardian since they were technically living in fae territory. The faeries hate seeing any life go to waste, as it brings them great despair to see something become nothing. So the faerie essentially gave the soul of the flower to Ren, turning him into a nymph.

Growing up his life was relatively normal, at least until puberty. His height doubled overnight, which is generally to be expected of human boys. However, what's not expected is for your son to wake up with pointy ears and glowing red eyes. Let's not even get started on how the vines and flowers ensnaring him seemed to want to protect him from her, his own mother.

Even with those strange changes, nothing terrible happened to Ren. In fact, his life seemed to improve drastically. People on the street would part the way and stare at him, his peers were constantly friendly to him and offered him favors, strangers even offered rather large sums for some sort of services from him.

That's because nymphs are seen to be symbols or charms of good luck, and have a whole multitude of rumors and urban legends surrounding them because of that. Immature school boys would say that even just the physical touch of one would guarantee a perfect score, adults would say that having one in the family would bring prosperity for all children to come thereafter. Either way, you'd want a nymph in your circle one way or another to guarantee good fortune.

Ren was always thankful for what he received. Nothing was particularly wrong with his family, in face they were one of the better off families in their town. But he was always compassionate to anyone he came across, and if he had no use for someone's favors, he'd still accept them to give the result to someone else who needed it more.

But people are selfish, and compassion cannot save someone from the woes of despair. His family was bought out by wealthy gamblers in town, so eventually he had to start learning to work like any other proper citizen.

Perhaps the rumors were true about nymphs, because the strange, up and coming fox gambler hired him to be his personal servant. Why him? Well, Ren thinks that he was just lonely and could use the company. Other times he believes he's only there to be his emotional punching bag. Nonetheless, Ren, just as always, is thankful for working for his rather eccentric boss, and sends whatever money he receives back to his mother.