My mother used to tell me the history of our world—Alterran.
Back then, when I couldn't walk, I often imagined what the world looked like beyond our little home. My curiosity about the outside grew stronger with every passing day.
Hundreds of years ago, Alterran was a peaceful land.
That was until corrupted creatures, known as Scourges, began to invade. They tore through towns and villages, slaughtering the inhabitants known as Terrans.
One day, the Gods descended to aid the Terrans.
But even with their divine power, the Scourges seemed endless—multiplying faster than they could be slain.
To stop them, the Gods built an unbreakable wall. A massive barrier that split the world—separating the Terrans and the divine from the chaos beyond.
But a wall alone wasn't enough.
The Scourges only grew in number.
So, the Gods thought magic to few humans, granting them the ability to manipulate the elements.
These warriors were called Heroes—tasked with fighting the Scourges beyond the wall.
While the war raged outside, the Gods and Terrans built a civilization within.
Many countries were established under a god's governance.
One of them… is Ignia, the Fire Kingdom.
Ruled by Eclia Ignia, the Fire Goddess.
Ignia is the second-largest country inside the walls. It consists of four major cities: Fuego, Firaga, Ablaz, and Pyr.
Each city is governed by one of the Four Rulers.
Going back to the current event...
As per Miss Eclia's command, the Four Rulers were summoned to the throne room of the castle.
They stood before her—and beside her stood me.
Some of them shot me foul looks.
Their eyes were full of disbelief… and resentment.
"A PRINCE OF IGNIA?!"
One of the nobles scoffed.
"You expect us to accept this child you suddenly fostered as the next prince of the Fire Kingdom?"
"With all due respect, Your Majesty," another barked, "this hardly seems worthy of our time!"
Two hot-headed rulers, their royal attire shamelessly revealing their bellies, vented their anger without restraint.
"Oh, come on now, Augusto, Tristan—have you no respect for Her Majesty's wishes?"
The voice came from Richard, the Dwarf Ruler of Ablaz.
Clad in heavy armor that exposed only his head, his tone was stern—measured.
Despite his small stature, the sheer force of his presence silenced the room.
An aura of a seasoned warrior surrounded him.
Then came a gentler voice, though equally firm:
"I respect your decision, Your Majesty."
It was Lisa, the Ruler of Pyr—the only female among the four.
"But… the castle of Ignia only permits women as household members. Wouldn't a male child in the castle cause discomfort for the others?"
Her concern wasn't misplaced.
When I first stepped out of my room, I noticed it too.
The castle was filled with maids and female workers—no men in sight.
Yet none of them treated me strangely. They smiled… as if I belonged.
"Lisa, I understand your concern," Miss Eclia began.
"Perhaps it was my personal choice to have only women serve the castle, but—"
Before she could finish, Charlotte, her personal maid, stepped forward—drawing her sword with a steely clang.
The other maids followed, unsheathing their weapons in perfect unison.
"Remember the first criteria to serve in Castle Ignia," Charlotte declared.
Augusto and Tristan stumbled back, their arrogance fading.
But Richard and Lisa remained composed.
Even I felt a shiver down my spine.
The castle wasn't just filled with gentle maids—it was filled with warriors.
Loyal protectors chosen by the Fire Goddess herself.
"I understand, Miss Eclia," Richard finally said.
"From today onward, we recognize Rein as the Prince of Ignia."
"I agree with Lisa," Lisa added, offering me a small smile.
"I will serve under you as well, Prince Rein."
They both bowed.
"If… If Her Majesty's decision is absolute," Augusto grumbled, "then we too shall accept him as Prince."
Tristan gave a reluctant nod, bowing as well.
And just like that—
I stood before the Four Rulers of Ignia, now officially recognized as a prince.
A child who once teetered at death's edge… now standing beside a goddess.
---
"The room you slept in earlier will now be your personal chamber."
"This is your bathroom. Since all workers here are women, we prepared a separate one just for you. I assume you can bathe yourself?"
After the meeting, Charlotte—Miss Eclia's ever-watchful maid—showed me around the castle.
Even dressed in her maid attire, she never let go of her sword.
"If you ever need anything, just ask one of the workers, okay?"
After the short tour, I mustered my courage to ask:
"Miss Charlotte... can you teach me how to use a sword?"
Her cheerful expression dropped.
She placed a hand gently on my shoulder.
"You're still too young to even hold one."
"Please?"
I gave her my best innocent look.
Her serious face cracked. She smiled again.
My plan worked.
"Okay! But on one condition—"
I braced myself. A condition? Sure, I'd accept anything reasonable.
"Call me 'Sister.'"
I blinked. That wasn't what I expected.
I'd never had a sibling.
I'd never even had a friend.
My childhood had been spent in isolation, far from others, trapped in a body that couldn't move.
"Si… Sister."
I said it softly, awkwardly.
But her eyes sparkled.
Without warning, she leapt forward and wrapped me in a hug.
"YES! From now on, call me that and I'll teach you for free!"