“Borrow the power of the Emperor. It’s possible for you, Princess,” Anselot said, suggesting that I use the Emperor’s authority.

In the past, I would have trailed off, thinking, ‘How could I…’ I saw myself as just a royal in name, unloved by my mother.

But not anymore.

The young Louibel, who feared upsetting my mother and was crippled by fear, no longer existed.

I am now the Empire’s third princess, the sole Swordmaster, and a descendant of the Acestor line as mentioned in the oracle. With dignity, I sought a private audience with my mother.

“What is it?” she asked, looking surprised to see me.

She always maintained a stern demeanor, but her status window still showed [Worried State], not having disappeared. It seemed she had become more fatigued recently, especially after dealing with Duke Hamilton and my brother Orent’s affairs. The Duke had taken all the blame, but ultimately, Orent was exiled from the palace.

To her, Orent and I were both her children.

I could only speculate beyond the affection level shown in the status window…

“I wish to undertake the Hero’s Proof,” I declared.

“What…?” Her expression stiffened.

“As I said before, there’s no need for you to leave because of the oracle,” she expressed, her tone suggesting concern.

“It’s not just about the oracle. Mother, you said it yourself. As royalty with manifested sword energy, I must rightfully use that power for the Empire.”

“To be precise, defeating the dragon isn’t exactly a path for the Empire’s benefit. How could the will of the temple’s lowly ones be as significant as the welfare of the Empire?” Her eyes sparked a bit when she mentioned the temple.

‘Mother really despises the temple,’ I realized once again.

“But we can’t completely ignore the oracle.”

“If those temple scoundrels dare to pressure the Empire, I am prepared to confront them, regardless of any losses.”

“I don’t want you to endure any losses because of me.”

“I am not acting based on personal emotions…”

Interrupting her as one of her eyebrows arched sharply, I quickly added, “And I also desire to accomplish the Hero’s Proof.”

‘The descendant of light shall harvest the dragon’s heart. He who claims the dragon’s heart shall scatter his holy name across the land,’ the latter part of the prophecy by the god of light, Luus.

The prophecy stated that those who defeated the dragon Hellheim would scatter their holy name across the land, inspiring many to undertake the Hero’s Proof.

After a long moment of shared gazes, my mother asked in a hardened voice, “Louibel Acestor. Are you also aspiring for the imperial throne?”

Until now, I had been a non-existent third princess without a father in the palace. Suddenly expressing ‘ambition’ and wanting to embark on the Hero’s Proof was sufficient to raise suspicion.

I responded not with words, but with a smile on my lips.

‘Aspiring for the throne? My dream is to live a life of luxury born with a silver spoon.’

But I didn’t need to answer that way.

There was no reason as valid as aspiring for the throne to suddenly undertake the Hero’s Proof.
Until now, I, the fatherless third princess, had been insignificant within the palace. So, it was understandable to be suspicious when I suddenly expressed ‘ambition’ and announced my departure for the Hero’s Proof.

Instead of responding, I smiled.

‘Aspire for the imperial throne? My dream is to live a lavish, carefree life as a wealthy extra born with a silver spoon.’

But there was no need to say that.

There was no more valid reason to suddenly pursue the Hero’s Proof than aspiring for the throne.

“Alright,” my mother replied slowly, sighing.

“The Acestor Imperial House will provide full support for the fulfillment of the oracle.”

I beamed at her words.

“You didn’t come just to inform me of your decision. What do you wish for?”

“I’d like a knight to accompany me. The journey is too perilous to undertake alone,” I said with a bright smile.

“Do you have a specific knight in mind?”

Of course, I had a particular knight in mind.

‘Ask the Emperor to command Klaus Winter to serve me.’

Klaus, being a stern knight, would swear fealty to me without objection if it was an imperial command.

It was right to pursue any means for the progression of the scenario.

But forcing someone who dislikes me to become my knight was…

‘Just like the system. Forcing people out of necessity.’

Ideally, I wanted Klaus to open his heart to me. After all, if we were to journey together for the Hero’s Proof, it should be for him, not me.

But considering Klaus’s negative affection and added wary state, it seemed unlikely he would warm up to me.

So, instead of forcing a knight’s vow through imperial command…

‘I’ll just beat him up.’

The method I chose was the third option.

To beat Klaus until his health dropped below 10 and force his submission.

If I forced a knight’s vow through imperial command, Klaus would be bound to me for life.

Klaus Winter was not a man to break a vow he had taken, even if it was against his will.