Inside the bustling city of Helios, trumpets resounded all over a plaza filled with numerous crowds of people. Food stalls, clothing boutiques, and many others were situated on the sides, showcasing a grand day for celebration..

In front of the crowds a large stage was set, one dedicated for royal announcements and various important occassions.

There were performers dancing below the stage, bards that set the atmosphere for most, and plays that transpired as the crowds waited.

It was lively, a great day for success and triumph!

After all, Princess Auruea—the most popular individual in Helios—was going to make an appearance here at the Sun Plaza.

"More than a thousand people are here, a couple more watching from the distance, rooftops, and their balconies.."

Shaking his head, a brown-haired man wearing a black formal attire said to an unmoving bodyguard whose body was like steel.

"Her popularity knows no bounds! I’d bet even people from other continents desire her.. From endorsing various beauty brands, food products, predicting the weather, and setting up multiple academies for people, heck she even endorsed a flower and every one ate it all up! No one could be comparable to her!"

He shook his head again, sighing deeply, "I can’t believe I met such a client today, I guess I’d better recommend my products to her."

The bodyguard remained silent, his posture unmoving.

Just then, a man with regal clothing—clothes embroidered in gold and silver, lined up with an array of various gem-like badges in his chest—seemed to appear from the darkness.

"Sojoa.."

"Oh! General, you’re finally here!"

The man reached in his pocket and brought out a perfume bottle.

"Care to try some of our Olibanum Oil, harvested fresh from the ancient Boswellia tree! Naturally, we wouldn’t dare hurt these trees so we’ve developed an ethical way of harvesting! I’m not telling you though.."

The general looked at him with a listless expression.

"I’d guess not! Suit yourself! Oh you probably don’t know yet.."

He stored the oil back and looked behind him, "This is my child, little Elishia, she’s tasked with logistics today, isn’t she cute?"

A young auburn-haired girl appeared from behind him, her expression blank and cold. She donned the same clothing as the man, wearing black formal wear.

The general studied the girl with a stern look, then, he looked back at the man in formal clothing, "A child?"

"Yes! I was hoping to teach her the ropes of our work!"

The general sighed, his dead fish eyes growing darker beneath, "Alright. Come with me.."

With an enthusiastic expression, the man with formal clothing held ELishia’s right hand, he smiled at her and gave her a thumbs up.

Then, he whispered to her ear, "He’s mean! Don’t mind him."

Elishia didn’t respond, only staring at the general with focused eyes.

Soon, they followed after him, heading towards dull halls and numerous doors..

Elishia’s father looked curious at every turn, studying every detail that he saw with an unending joy.

He never quieted down and asked questions every 5 seconds to the general. The general, who had an already dead expression, seemed to become even colder..

As they traversed the halls, the crowds outside began to get louder..

Numerous trumpets and screams vibrated in the area, creating a weird sensation to the skin.

"So she’s out, huh? I can’t believe I’m in here with the general and not enjoying the sight outside! What a shame!"

The man looked down to Elishia, "You would’ve loved to see her little Elishia!"

After walking around for a little while, the general stopped at a mundane looking room—one of many doors all looked the same.

He gently opened the door and gestured for the two of them to enter, "Here."

Still holding her hand, the man walked towards the door and slowly entered the room, however, the general raised his bulky arm and stopped him.

"Leave the child."

"But..How is she meant to trade when she can’t even-"

"Leave. The. Child." The general’s voice grew deeper.

"Aww darn.." He crouched down to match Elishia’s height, "Well, little Elishia, it seems like you have to wait for daddy outside. Be good, okay?"

Then he leaned closer, his voice turning flat and serious, "Wait for the Princess.. That’s your true goal."

The man stood up and painted a smile on his face, ever as enthusiastic as ever. He first came through the door and the general followed next.

The general slightly turned his head around and glared at Elishia for a moment. However, the latter had no reaction at all.

Behind the door, she could slightly hear her father’s loud voice, "King Apollos! Your Majesty, his Grace! How’ve you been? Have some of this! It’s our signature product in.."

Minutes passed and Elishia remained astute outside the door, she stood up straight as if she were placed as a guard.

Then, after a little while, she headed towards where they came from.

She retraced their path and found herself back at the backstage. The noise of the crowd was explosive, turning silent for a while and then as loud as lightning.

Additionally, she heard a gentle voice from the stage, declaring something that she couldn’t understand yet.

Finding one of the corners to wait, Elishia stood still and listened to the Princess’ speech.

Seconds slowly turned into minutes and minutes turned into hours..

Alas, after a long while, the crowds exploded again in noise. Trumpets blew louder, sounding the end of a celebration.

As the buzzing noise of the people erupted, a graceful figure suddenly appeared from within the doors.

A woman with golden hair and crystal blue eyes appeared from within, she looked elegant, as if she were a treasure found within the depths of an uninhabited island.

She wore a long golden dress with frilled hems and brilliant metallic highlights. It appears luminous, flowing into a long exquisite beauty.

Even more so, the Princess’ figure encapsulated its class. Her skin was as fair as marble, as smooth as the clearest waters, and as white as snow.

She looked like a goddess.

Upon gazing at her, something inside of Elishia’s eyes sparkled, as if she were enticed by the Princess’ beauty.

Walking inside with a soft gaze, the Princess immediately noticed Elishia standing in the back.

"Oh?"

She walked closer to her, carefully carrying her steps.

"Who might you be?"

Now that Princess Auruea was close to Elishia, she didn’t pay any attention to her question. Rather, Elishia spoke as if she only had one thing in her mind.

"Princess Auruea, the turmoil rising between Nero and Sylis is growing. It has been reported that the ruler of the lands.."

Elishia made a long report, her words flat and straightforward. She didn’t even stutter once, it was as if her sole purpose was to deliver this message.

"The Lands inside the Aurora Region, separated by the hills of Mentis.."

"Hold on! Hold on!"

"You.." Princess Auruea raised her arm and held Elishia by her petite shoulders, "You’re a Sojoa?"

Elishia stopped talking, processing the Princess’ question.

"Yes, your majesty."

Immediately, the Princess’ face became filled with sorrow.

She felt empathy for Elishia.

"You poor thing.. You’re just a child.." Princess Auruea’s words became tranquil, soothing Elishia’s ears, "No child should be subjected to this.. I’ll go talk with your father about this."

Elishia couldn’t quite get what the Princess’ words meant.

At the same time, the Princess looked up and held Elishia’s hand. The first time that Elishia felt it, she sensed a wave of comfort and peace rushing inside her.

Still, she didn’t understand what these feelings meant.

The Princess held her hand as they headed towards a comfortable room with soft-cushioned chairs, a pantry filled with food, various paintings of Helios’ old ruler, and much more.

Pulling a chair, the Princes urged Elishia to rest, "Sit here.. By Helios, how long have you been standing there? Your feet are sore! I can’t believe this!"

Her usually tranquil tone turned into hints of annoyance, making the Princess pout her cheek as she found how inhumane the Sojoa’s treat their children.

The Princess sat across Elishia, crossing her arms as she waited for Elishia’s father to come.

"Princess.. I must continue with my report.."

"No.."

The Princess stood up and searched around in the pantry. After finding a slice of cake, she made her way back to Elishia and placed it down in front of her.

"Here.. Before you continue your report, try this.."

Princess Auruea offered her a tiny fork meant to be used specifically for cakes..

"But.."

"No buts!"

At first, Elishia was reluctant, stopping her hands from taking a piece of the cake. But as soon as she saw the Princess’ gaze, she immediately gave up.

This served her interests as well..

’Anything to serve the royal family..’

Elishia slowly pushed the tiny fork through, slicing over the icing, fillings, and the cake itself.

Once she did, she carefully pierced it and put it in her mouth. Upon touching her taste buds, Elishia’s face scrunched up!

’Too salty!’

Elishia’s eyes narrowed into an aggressive squint.

"How was it, I made that myself!"

Elishia turned silent for a few seconds, and then answered in a reluctant tone.

"It’s..good."

"Right! Give me that, I’ll give it a try.."

"Wait, Princess-"

Too late! Auruea already grabbed the plate in front of her and took a bite!

Immediately, her face scrunched up too as her tongue retracted back in her mouth.

"That’s!"

Elishia closed her eyes so as to not see the Princess’ disappointment.

But what she heard betrayed her expectations.

"So good!"

When Elishia opened her eyes, she saw the Princess’ delighted face, her eyes sparkling in amazement of the ’scrumptious’ cake.

"You want any more?"

The Princess held her hand towards Elishia, her mouth still full as a piece of cake stabbed within the fork.

Elishia slowly shook her head and avoided the Princess’ gaze, "N-no..its all yours, Princess.."

"Alright then, suit yourself!"

She began to devour the entire pastry within a few seconds. In the end, her face looked satisfied.

She leaned back and rubbed her belly, "Ahh! Nothing beats a good cake."

Suddenly, realization hit her as she suddenly forgot about the little girl right in front.

"My apologies! That’s so unprincesslike, forget this okay?"

Right then, the door of the room swung open!

Elishia and the Princess both stared at the man entering from within, he donned formal black clothing and his hair as brown as the bark of boswellia tree.

"Ah! There you are, I’ve been looking for you, little Elishia.. Eh- Are you having a tea party? But there’s no tea though.."

"You!"

The Princess stood up and walked towards Elishia’s father.

"You talk about the ethical farming of your products yet you make a young child work?!"

The Princess’ sudden outburst surprised Elishia’s father, his face looked quite puzzled.

"Ah-"

Just then, the area turned oddly warm, soothing to the point where one can relax their muscles and rest.

"Auruea, calm yourself.."

Behind Elishia’s father was..a tall man with similar features to Auruea—golden hair, smooth skin, and a fine stature.

What differed from the two is their eyes, while the Princess had blue eyes, the King’s eyes radiated gold.

He donned a priest’s robe with a golden stole lengthening down to his knees.

"I apologize for this, Albert.. My daughter is quite impulsive, you see."

He looked over to Elishia’s father, his eyes closed as he rubbed his forehead.

"No, no, it’s really alright!"

The King walked over to Princess Auruea, "Apologize to him, Auruea.."

"F-father! There’s nothing to apologize for! He makes children do their work!"

"Don’t meddle with their business.. Now, now.."

Auruea crossed her arms, "Hmph! I’d rather die!"

She walked out of the room, dashing out with great pace.

The King looked embarrassed.

"She’s quite the troublemaker, huh?" Albert looked towards her vanishing figure.

"Precisely.. I’ll go fetch her. I really am sorry about this Albert.." King Apollos shook his head.

"It’s fine! Go get her!"

With that, the King slowly walked out of the room and headed towards Auruea’s direction.

After the door closed, Albert made sure that no one was around anymore. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Then, he looked straight at Elishia and deeply sighed.

"That..was something right? Nevertheless," He leaned closer to her seat, crouching down to face her.

"So.."

His voice became deeper, his eyes growing even more terrifying. He directly stared at Elishia, studying the contents of her eyes.

"You’ve failed.."

His face was eerily blank—no twisted scowl, and no raised voice. Only a radiating anger seeping from within his unmoving eyes.

"You know what that means right?"

Elishia’s face turned frozen, her pupils trembling in terror.

"Let’s go, little Elishia.."

He slowly stood up.

"Let’s go home.."