Thanks to my birthday party, I got the chance to meet lots of noble kids around my age. But honestly, it left me feeling a bit uneasy.Today, just like many times over the past few months, I've been invited to yet another tea party. This time, I'm at the mansion of Duke Farhan, one of the empire's four dukes.The host of today's gathering is his eldest daughter, Heaven Farhan. She's the same age as Brother Calvin, which means she's older than me by quite a bit. Her name feels strangely familiar, and I've already made a mental note to ask her later about how she got it.Even though I look six on the outside, I'm actually an adult inside, so I can kind of see through what's happening here. I'm definitely too young to fit in with her and her friends, yet she still went out of her way to invite me. And let's be real, it's not exactly a mystery why.Brother Calvin might not be the crowned prince, but he's still royal through and through. From what I've overheard from the maids, there's a group of nobles—the so-called aristocratic party—who think Calvin should take the throne instead of Brother Tristan. I don't fully understand all the noble politics and factions just yet, but one thing's clear: some people want to use my brothers and me as tools to climb the ladder of power. So yeah, I've got to tread carefully.The carriage finally stopped in front of the mansion, and I peeked out the window to see a row of servants lined up by the grand entrance, standing perfectly straight and formal. Among them was a young lady who looked about 13 or 14. She had shiny copper-brown hair that caught the light and green eyes that sparkled warmly as she smiled at me."Princess Anya, welcome to our humble home," Lady Heaven Farhan greeted with a graceful bow, her coppery hair catching the light. "I am Heaven Farhan, the eldest daughter of Duke Farhan.""Lady Heaven," I replied, curtsying just enough to be polite. "Thank you for your kind invitation. It is a pleasure to be here.""The pleasure is all ours, Your Highness," she said, her tone warm but carefully measured. "My family and I have been eagerly anticipating your visit.""And I must say," I added, keeping my smile composed, "your estate is truly impressive. It reflects the excellent taste and refinement of House Farhan."Her green eyes lit up, though her expression remained poised. "You are far too kind, Princess. My father will be delighted to hear such praise from one so esteemed."As we strolled toward a charming gazebo draped in a vibrant cascade of roses, I found myself captivated by the peaceful beauty of the garden. The air smelled sweet, and the sunlight peeked through the blossoms, making everything feel warm and magical.Inside the gazebo, four young ladies were seated gracefully, each dressed in elegant gowns that shimmered softly in the sunlight. They looked about the same age as Lady Heaven, and all of them turned to face us as we approached.Their eyes sparkled with curiosity, and I could tell they were trying to act calm and collected, but their slight fidgeting gave them away. Maybe they were as nervous to meet me as I was to meet them!"Welcome, Princess Anya," they chimed in unison, their voices flowing together like a well-rehearsed melody.As they started introducing themselves one by one, my mind wandered off. Their names and fancy titles sounded like a never-ending song I couldn't follow. I knew I was supposed to listen—it's what good girls do—but honestly, it felt like trying to remember all the words to a really hard nursery rhyme I'd just heard for the first time.The truth was, I wasn't here to make friends or giggle over tea and cakes. This wasn't the kind of party where you run around playing tag or swap silly stories. No, I was here because Duke Farhan's family was super important—the richest and most powerful of the empire's four dukes. Showing up was more about respect than wanting to hang out.How was I supposed to relate to them anyway? Most of these girls were like 15 years old. I mean, what 15-year-old would want to be friends with a six-year-old? Plus, their topics were so far from anything I cared about—crushes and fancy stuff like that. When I was 15, I was busy figuring out how to survive since the orphanage was about to kick me out. I didn't exactly have the luxury of daydreaming about that kind of thing.When the endless introductions finally ended, I let out a tiny sigh of relief and took my seat.The table was covered in fancy treats—tiny cakes, glossy fruit tarts, and cookies shaped like flowers. There was also a teacup in front of everyone, but no one seemed to be touching their food. What a waste! I remembered being a kid back on Earth and diving into a pile of snacks at parties. These girls, though, just sat there looking like they were practicing to be statues.Still, I smiled politely and sampled a bit of everything. The sweets were delicious, but eating felt weird when no one else was doing it."Wow, Lady Heaven, your necklace is gorgeous!" one of the girls suddenly said, her voice filled with admiration.I looked up along with everyone else. Lady Heaven was wearing a diamond necklace, and while it was pretty, it didn't seem like a big deal to me. I've seen shinier stuff in the palace. Not to sound spoiled or anything, but being a princess sort of makes you used to all the glitter.Still, the girls around the table looked like they were ready to faint from how amazing they thought it was. Compliments poured in, one after another, as if Lady Heaven was wearing the crown jewels. It was clear they were trying really hard to stay on her good side.I stayed quiet, nibbling on a cookie shaped like a butterfly. Lady Heaven noticed me watching and gave me a smile that was too perfect to feel real. I smiled back, but inside, I was already counting the minutes until I could leave."Thanks. It was a gift from Prince Calvin," Lady Heaven said with a smile.Calvin? my brother? that idea makes me want to puke!"Oh, for the 2nd prince to give such a gift, you must be someone special to him," another girl commented."I don't know what Prince Calvin thinks, and I don't want to assume," she said, as she looks away while blushing.I sat there stunned, staring at her, trying to imagine my Big Brother being romantic. No way! I can't even picture it! That clueless kid?! He's clueless about romance!!He only knows how to swing his sword and use his magic."So, Princess Anya, did Prince Calvin ever mention Lady Heaven?" one of the girls asked, looking thrilled about something.Did my Brother really give a gift like that? I have no clue!"Brother and I haven't seen each other since my birthday party; he's been busy with his apprenticeship, so I don't know," I replied."Oh, really?" the girl who asked seemed to say quietly, glancing cautiously at Lady Heaven.Lady Heaven flinched a bit but still managed to smile."I've heard that princesses like sweet treats, so I made sure to have a variety," Lady Heaven said, changing the subject."Yeah," I said, stuffing a piece of cake into my mouth, and the room fell silent again.I watched the four girls exchange looks, as if they were communicating without speaking."Oh, my mom got a new pet yesterday!" one of the girls blurted out.I ignored them and kept eating."Oh? What is it this time?" another girl asked."It's a beastman! A rabbit folk," she said cheerfully."Really?! What color? I want to see! Mom never takes me to those auctions!" another girl exclaimed.I stopped eating and listened to their conversation. Suddenly, Heaven seemed to notice my reaction and spoke up."Are you familiar with the auctions, Princess?" Lady Heaven asked, her eyes sparkling."No, could you tell me what The Auction is?" I asked."Well, I understand since you're still young, but I promise you'll love The Auction! There are so many cute animals there!" she said."Yeah! There are even sea folks at The Auction!" one of the girls chimed in."My mom once bought a mermaid, but she died. Dad said maybe she was defective or something," another girl added sadly, and the others comforted her.Mermaid? Beastmen? Defective? Is this society that advanced? Are they making mythical creature robots as pets or something?Or are they talking about real-life mythical creatures? That seems like the closest possibility.As the conversation about pets continued, it took on increasingly unsettling tones. Desperate to steer the discussion in a different direction, I made a mental note to ask Dad about The Auction house later."Lady Heaven, I've been curious since I received the invitation; your name, Heaven, it's so beautiful. What does it mean?" I inquired, hoping to shift the focus away from the pet stories."Oh, I'm not entirely sure," she replied cheerfully. "It's a tradition in our family; every first-born daughter of the main line is named Heaven, and I happen to be Heaven Farhan the 25th."I simply nodded in response, silently resuming my meal. The other ladies offered compliments on her name and continued discussing it, but I chose not to engage further in the conversation.--The tea party drew to a close, and now I found myself within the castle walls, making my way toward Father's study room. Four knights stood guard outside the door, their imposing presence momentarily giving me pause."I need to see Father," I announced to them, meeting their gaze. In unison, they bowed and dropped to their knees before me."Princess Anya, please wait a moment while I inform his majesty," one of them replied, rising to his feet and disappearing into the room after a couple of firm knocks. Moments later, he emerged, holding the door open for me.As I stepped into the room, I saw Father sitting at his big desk, completely buried in stacks of paperwork. I felt a little bad that I couldn't help him, but my mind kept wandering back to what the ladies at the tea party were talking about earlier—the auction house. "Daddy, I heard about the auction house!" I blurted out the moment I stepped into his study. I didn't bother with formalities—I was too worked up.Dad stopped writing and looked at me, his pen hovering just above the paper."And what about it, little one?" he asked calmly."What do you mean, 'what about it'? Daddy, they're selling people there! Like... like slavery!" I said, my chest tightening as I tried to make him understand how terrible it sounded. For a moment, he just stared at me, and I realized he still saw me as a little kid. It made me feel small in a strange way.With a sigh, Dad pushed his chair back, stood up, and walked over to me. Before I could say anything else, he scooped me up and carried me to the nearest sofa. He sat down, placing me on his lap."Anya," he said gently, his tone serious but warm, "you're too young to understand everything about this, but I want you to know something. Daddy is working to stop the auction house. It's not easy. Many nobles don't want it to change, and they're fighting against me."His words made my heart feel heavy, but I also felt a spark of hope."I'll help you stop it, Daddy!" I said, gripping his sleeve tightly.He chuckled softly, the corners of his mouth lifting into a smile."We'll stop it together," he said, patting my head. "But first, you need to grow strong and wise. Learn all you can so you'll be ready to help Daddy when the time comes. Okay?"I nodded seriously, my lips curling into a determined smile."Okay, Daddy."In that moment, I realized something. Maybe it was because I still had memories from Earth, or maybe it was just who I was, but I didn't like seeing people suffer. And if I could do something to help—whether it was now or in the future—I wanted to.--Years have passed; now, at sixteen, I faced my final exam in my first weapon mastery course."Anya, don't take on anything too big," Mom advised, adjusting and securing the leather armor Brother Cal had bought."And steer clear of smaller creatures too; they're quick! Just avoid them," Father cautioned, holding the helmet Brother Tristan had given me."Listen to Mom and Dad, just avoid unnecessary risks," Brother Tristan, as unhelpful as ever, chimed in."Don't worry, I'll be right beside you, Anya. No creature will come near you with me around," Brother Cal declared, brandishing his sword confidently.I couldn't help but roll my eyes at their unnecessary worries."How am I supposed to complete the course if I don't even hunt?" I questioned."Well, you have a point. Let's talk to your master and sort this out once and for all," Dad suggested, placing the helmet on the table and heading towards the tent's entrance."DAD!" I exclaimed, startled."Kidding, kidding. I know how much you've been looking forward to this," Dad reassured me, joining Tris on the sofa.I sighed, reaching for the helmet he'd placed nearby."Just promise me you won't do anything to make my exam easier, especially you, Brother Cal," I warned, glaring at him as he sat with Dad and Tris."I'll try my best," he replied with a grin, earning another eye roll from me."And if you do, I'll never forgive you," I added, intensifying my glare.He just laughed."Anyway, don't get hurt, okay? And don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it," Mom advised, her hands framing my face in a squished manner.I nodded in response."Good," she said, releasing my face."Ugh, I can't believe how much you've grown," Dad said with a sigh, looking at me fondly."She really was so tiny," Mom added, holding her hands apart to show just how small I used to be."I think Anya's growing backward," Tristan said seriously, making all of us stop and turn to look at him."You know it too, right? Anya was known as a genius and a prodigy when she was young because of her quick learning and mature demeanor. But look at her now, pouting like a child," Tris pointed out, gesturing towards me."Hey!" I protested, pouting even more."Haha, I prefer it this way. At least I know no arrogant prince is going to try and steal her away just yet," Dad joked, chuckling with a big grin."Hey!" I protested once again, but they all continued to laugh as if their point had been proven.We reached the eastern edge of the empire, where the dense forest stretched out along the border. This was the place where my test was supposed to take place. Master Eva—my aunt, Mom's sister, and a former magician-turned-knight—gave me a task: I needed to hunt five different types of monsters or animals. If I failed? A month of brutal training with no breaks. Needless to say, I was determined to pass.Master Eva wasn't your typical noblewoman. When she was young, she almost got engaged to some random noble for political reasons, but she totally rebelled and left home. She became an adventurer, traveling around, fighting monsters, and getting better at everything she did. Eventually, she got so good that she was promoted to knight, making her the first female knight of the empire.She didn't just become a knight—she made a name for herself. She was known for her incredible sword skills, and she had a sharp mind that helped her outsmart even the toughest enemies. Master Eva was one of those people who didn't let anyone tell her what she could or couldn't do. She proved herself again and again, taking on dangerous missions, leading the charge, and coming back with all sorts of valuable intel and treasures for the empire. People would talk about her stories for ages, and everyone respected her, no matter their gender.But what really made Eva stand out was how many women she inspired. She paved the way for female knights in the empire, showing everyone that women didn't just have to sit around and marry for political gain—they could pick up swords, fight, and lead just like the men. So many women followed in her footsteps, joining the royal knights and breaking through the barriers that used to hold them back. Eva didn't just change the way people saw women in the empire; she made it possible for others to do the same.She was a true legend—brave, strong, and always defying the odds. That's why I admired her so much. She wasn't just a knight; she was someone who changed the world around her. And I wanted to be just like her."Don't worry, Anya. You've got the talent, and I know you have the potential," Master Eva said, her hand warm and reassuring on my shoulder. Her voice was calm but firm, the kind of confidence that made you feel like you could conquer anything. "Now, show me what you've learned."I nodded, my heart racing a little. Her words made me feel better, but I still couldn't shake the nerves. The thick forest ahead looked so vast, so wild, and I knew there were monsters lurking out there—things I had never faced before. But if Master Eva believed in me, then maybe I could do this too.Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward into the dense woods. The air was cool and damp, filled with the earthy scent of moss and pine. The trees towered above me, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. I had to focus. I had to remember everything she'd taught me during our training: how to stay calm, how to read the signs of the forest, how to strike with precision.Behind me, I could feel Brother Calvin's presence—he was always right there, like a shadow, ready to back me up if anything went wrong. As I moved deeper into the forest, the sounds of the outside world began to fade away, replaced by the rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot. I had to stay alert. I could sense the creatures hiding in the shadows, watching, waiting. I was no longer just a little princess—I was a hunter now, ready to prove myself.With Brother Calvin by my side, we pushed forward into the heart of the forest, each step taking me closer to the challenge, closer to becoming the warrior I dreamed of being.