The city was mine.
Not in the literal sense at least, not yet but the mont I had stepped outside the palace, the sheer weight of my presence had silenced an entire crowd of people.
It was strange.
To be four years old and already wielding the kind of authority that could shake an empire.
And yet, it wasn't just authority.
It was fear.
The people bowed. They whispered my na. They looked at with wide, cautious eyes as if I were so divine force that had descended upon their world.
This wasn't adoration.
It wasn't reverence.
It was absolute, unwavering terror.
I took a deep breath, keeping my expression calm, composed. If there was one thing I had mastered in the past four years, it was controlling my reactions.
I glanced to my side.
Verania stood proudly, her golden eyes gleaming with satisfaction. She thrived off this.
Sylvithra was more reserved, but I could see the subtle approval in her gaze.
To them, this was how things were supposed to be.
But to ?
It was a problem.
[ New Mission: Make a Friend. ]
I paused.
What?
[ Host, you have lived four years in this world and have yet to form a single bond outside of your maids. ]
That's because everyone either worships or fears .
[ Exactly. ]
…Oh. Right.
[ Mission Objective: Befriend soone outside the palace. Soone who does not serve you. Soone who sees you as a person, not a ruler. ]
That sounds impossible.
[ Rewards: 10 Charisma, 5 Luck, and a Secret Skill Unlock. ]
I froze.
Secret skill?
[ Correct! ]
Now that was interesting.
I had no idea what kind of skill it was, but if the system was willing to reward with sothing hidden, then it had to be important.
…Fine.
Challenge accepted.
Now I just had to figure out how the hell I was going to make a friend when everyone was too scared to even look at properly.
Our procession through the city was as extravagant as expected.
Everywhere we walked, guards lined the streets, escorting us like we were marching into battle.
People knelt at every corner, heads lowered in a show of submission.
And the few who dared to look up did so with pure fear in their eyes.
I had expected it.
I had seen it before, inside the palace.
But out here?
It was ten tis worse.
I could hear the hushed whispers.
"Is that her?"
"The Imperial Heir…"
"Her eyes… they say she can command anyone with just a look."
"She's beautiful, but terrifying."
"She's her mothers' daughter, alright."
I kept my expression neutral.
But internally?
I was sighing.
At this rate, finding a friend was going to be impossible.
Who would even dare approach ?
Who would even think of treating like a normal child?
I needed a new plan.
Because walking through the streets like this, surrounded by an army of guards and my warlord mothers, was not going to work.
If I wanted to make a real friend, I needed to get away.
I needed a mont alone.
And that ant…
I needed to escape.
The opportunity ca faster than expected.
Verania and Sylvithra had paused near the city's grand market square, where rchants had set up stalls overflowing with goods.
Even with the tense atmosphere, so were still brave enough to approach, offering rare silks, enchanted jewelry, and delicacies from distant lands.
My mothers were montarily distracted.
And I?
I saw my chance.
I turned to the nearest maid one of the few who had long since stopped trembling in my presence.
"I wish to walk the market alone," I whispered.
The maid blinked.
She hesitated, glancing nervously at my mothers, but eventually nodded.
A minute later, I was slipping away.
Not completely alone, of course two of my personal guards followed at a distance, but that was expected. As long as my mothers weren't hovering over , I had a little bit of freedom.
Now, I just had to find soone to talk to.
Soone who wasn't afraid of .
…Easier said than done.
I walked through the market stalls, passing rchants and vendors who stiffened the mont they saw .
So bowed so fast I thought they might break their backs.
Others stood frozen, eyes wide with silent terror.
I sighed.
This is hopeless.
Until a small, frustrated voice caught my attention.
"Hey! Give that back!"
I turned my head.
At the far edge of the market, near a quiet alleyway, a boy no older than six was glaring up at a much older, much bigger man.
The boy was small but fierce, his dark hair wild and unkempt, his blue eyes burning with defiance.
The man?
A rchant, twice his size, holding a small loaf of bread in his hands.
"I saw you steal this," the rchant accused.
"I didn't steal anything!" the boy snapped. "I was just looking at it!"
The rchant scoffed. "Lies. You filthy street rats always—"
I moved before I even thought about it.
Because here it was.
My chance.
I stepped forward, my presence casting an imdiate silence over the scene.
The rchant turned, eyes going wide with horror.
He dropped the bread instantly.
"P-Princess Elyzara!" he gasped, falling to his knees so fast that I swore I heard his joints crack.
The boy?
He just… stared at .
Not in fear.
Not in awe.
But in pure confusion.
Like he had no idea who I was.
Like I was just another kid.
And in that mont, I knew.
He's the one.
He was going to be my first friend.
And he had no idea what he was in for.
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