Chapter 6: Threads of Fate

**Chapter 6: Threads of Fate**

A week after my nineteenth name day, the bustling streets of Asgard beckoned me to walk their paths. Four royal guards flanked me, their presence both a symbol of authority and a testament to the care I held for the realm and its people. Engaging with the citizens had become a cherished pastime—one of the ways I'd devised to forge a connection that would edge the most noble of images of myself within their hearts.

Amidst the swirling currents of the crowd, I stumbled upon a sight that stirred a mixture of intrigue and curiosity within me. A girl, perhaps a year or two my senior, stood apart from the hustle and bustle, her appearance unkempt and her attire bearing the marks of hardship. Dust and grime seemed to paint her form, obscuring a beauty that lay hidden beneath.

Crimson red hair cascaded like a cascade of flames, framing a face that bore the marks of life's tribulations. Emerald green eyes, vibrant against her soiled visage, held a depth that spoke of experiences that reached beyond the surface. Despite her appearance, there was an air of elegance that lingered around her—a grace that whispered of her potential beyond the trials she faced.

As our eyes met, a peculiar connection stirred within me—an inexplicable tether that was not of love, but of something less defined. A connection woven from threads of destiny and curiosity, an enigma that left questions lingering within the corners of my mind. Though if I were to guess I would say that the protagonist halo had a hand in it.

The realm's dynamics had shifted over the years, and my aspirations had crystallized into plans that sought to shape its future. Among these ambitions was the desire to establish a group—a collective akin to the Valkyries of old, but with a distinct purpose. This group, which I envisioned as "the Pleiades," would be more than warriors. They would be combat maids, well-versed in a spectrum of skills—from combat to cleaning, cooking to magic.

The Pleiades would be an embodiment of loyalty, dedicated solely to me. Their allegiance would be unwavering, a testament to their trust in my vision for Asgard and most importantly in myself. This concept had taken root within my heart, and with each passing day, its allure grew stronger.

As I gazed upon the girl with the crimson hair and the emerald eyes, a decision blossomed within me—a choice as profound as the destiny I carried. She would be the first member of the Pleiades, a cornerstone of the group that would stand as an emblem of unity, loyalty, and strength.

With a sense of purpose that echoed the realms' ancient fates, I approached her, my steps guided by a quiet determination. She was more than her appearance suggested, and beneath the layers of grime, I sensed a spirit that resonated with the essence of the Pleiades. As I extended my hand, offering an opportunity that would change her life forever, I knew that this moment would alter the course of our destinies—a meeting woven into the very fabric of the cosmos.

...

Contemplating how to explain the sudden appearance of a homeless girl and my grand plans for the Pleiades to my parents, I couldn't help but imagine their bemused expressions. "Oh, by the way, Mother, Father, I've decided to recruit a group of combat maids who are also proficient in magic, cleaning, cooking, and, well, pretty much everything," I would say with a nonchalant shrug. "And this girl with dirt-smudged cheeks and wild hair? She's my first recruit! No worries, though, she's got potential hidden under all that grime. Oh, and did I mention they'll be absolutely, unwaveringly loyal to me? I promise, it's all going to be perfectly normal."