But it was a test.
And I had passed the first part.
I was fully prepared for more scrutiny. More interrogation. Maybe even some kind of ancient family blood rite to prove I was worthy of their lineage.
What I was not prepared for was to become the royal family's favorite new obsession.
The moment my grandparents decided they liked me, something snapped.
Gone was the tense atmosphere of evaluation and judgment.
Instead, my four legendary, terrifying, warlord grandparents collectively lost their minds over me.
Saelira, my maternal grandmother, clapped her hands with enough force to shake the windows. "Finally! Someone competent in this family!"
Verania scowled. "I am competent."
"You are insane," Saelira corrected.
Verania muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like "same thing."
Meanwhile, my other grandmother, Ilythia, was staring at me with an expression that could only be described as 'I have found the heir to my empire and I will now worship her.'
"She has a presence beyond her years," Ilythia murmured, voice full of quiet admiration. "Such elegance."
Veylen, my paternal grandfather, gave a slow nod. "A sharp mind. I can see it in her eyes."
Eryndor, my other grandfather, smirked. "She looks like she could conquer the world before breakfast."
Verania beamed proudly at that.
Sylvithra sighed.
I was still trying to process what was happening.
"Uh," I said intelligently, "thank you?"
Saelira snapped her fingers. "This calls for a celebration."
Verania frowned. "She's four."
"All the more reason." Saelira turned toward the palace attendants. "Bring the gifts."
Wait.
The what?
A moment later, a line of servants flooded into the hall, each carrying something absurdly extravagant.
A massive chest, its golden edges gleaming under the candlelight, was placed before me first. The lid was lifted, revealing an arsenal of enchanted weapons.
Daggers that shimmered with an eerie blue glow. A short sword with runes etched along the blade, pulsing faintly with magic. Even a war fan lined with razor-sharp steel.
I stared at them.
"…I am four."
Saelira grinned. "Never too early to start."
Verania groaned. "You are not giving her weapons."
"She's our heir," Eryndor said. "She should be armed properly."
"She is a child."
"A very important child," Saelira countered.
Verania looked ready to combust.
Sylvithra rubbed her temples. "We just taught her how to hold a quill properly. Do not give her swords."
Ilythia hummed. "Perhaps she would prefer spell tomes instead."
A second chest was placed before me.
Inside, ancient magical books were stacked neatly, some bound in deep blue leather, others glowing faintly with contained power.
Saelira squinted. "You always were the academic one."
"I am the intelligent one," Ilythia corrected smoothly.
Eryndor snorted. "Please. The most intelligent person in this family is currently four years old."
Everyone turned to look at me.
I took a sip of the juice an attendant had just handed me.
"…I'm not disagreeing," I said.
Saelira laughed loudly while Verania muttered something about this being her worst nightmare.
Another chest was opened.
This time, it contained exquisite jewelry, rare gems, and enchanted accessories.
Necklaces woven from celestial silver. Bracelets lined with arcane gemstones that pulsed with faint magic. A tiara adorned with a blood-red gemstone that flickered like a trapped flame.
Ilythia lifted the tiara delicately and placed it in my hands. "This was mine," she said. "Now it is yours."
The metal was cool against my fingers, the magic within it humming softly.
I glanced up. "Thank you."
Ilythia smiled. "It suits you."
Verania groaned again. "Stop throwing riches at her. She is not a treasure hoard."
"She's better than a treasure hoard," Saelira said. "She is the treasure."
I did not disagree.
More gifts kept arriving.
A miniature throne, sized just for me, made of dark ebony wood and inlaid with silver.
A set of battle robes lined with protective enchantments.
A scroll signed by half the empire's most powerful generals, pledging their loyalty to me already.
Verania looked like she was moments away from flipping the entire dining table over.
Sylvithra simply accepted her fate.
Meanwhile, I was having the time of my life.
"Do you like them, granddaughter?" Saelira asked.
I looked at the growing pile of treasures.
Smiled.
"Yes."
Saelira beamed. "Good. Expect more."
Verania let out a noise that sounded dangerously close to a scream.
By the time the gifting frenzy finally ended, I had acquired enough wealth to start my own independent kingdom.
I was still processing everything when Saelira suddenly clapped her hands again.
"Now, we discuss training."
Verania visibly paled. "No."
"Yes."
"She already has tutors."
Eryndor shook his head. "Not good enough. She needs us."
"She's four," Verania snapped.
"She's brilliant," Ilythia countered. "And wasted on mundane lessons."
Verania pinched the bridge of her nose. "You will ruin her."
"She is already perfect," Veylen said simply.
I took another sip of juice.
"…Again, not disagreeing."
Saelira laughed loudly. "She's sharp. I love her."
Verania groaned.
Sylvithra sighed.
I smirked.
I had them all wrapped around my finger already.
This was going amazingly well.
By the time the meeting finally ended, I was exhausted from being adored.
Verania was still grumbling. Sylvithra had already started planning damage control.
As we walked back to my chambers, Verania muttered darkly.
"I should have expected this."
Sylvithra nodded. "It was unavoidable."
"They will spoil her."
"Too late," I said.
Verania groaned again.
Sylvithra patted her arm. "You will survive."
I laughed.
For all their complaints, my mothers were also pleased.
They would never admit it, but they were proud.
Proud that I had earned the approval of their own parents.
Proud that I had not been found lacking.
Proud that I was exactly what they had hoped for.
As I settled into my bed, I let my eyes drift to the tiara resting on my bedside table.
A piece of history.
A promise of the future.
I smiled to myself.
The world was mine to shape.