Well, Klaus being at a higher level would be beneficial for me.

I followed the attendant’s lead to the audience chamber, calming my unnecessary pride.

Upon entering, my mother, seated on her lofty throne, greeted us.

“Are you leaving now?”

After scanning our appearances, my mother called my name.

“Luivel Ajester.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As I stepped forward, my mother spoke in a solemn voice.

“Never forget that you are an Ajester.”

“I will ensure the name Ajester is not tarnished.”

Pleased with my response, the corners of my mother’s mouth curled up slightly.

“To prove the oracle, you must first meet the Pope.”

My mother gestured to the chief attendant standing behind her.

“Take this to that bastard when you meet him.”

The chief attendant approached me and handed me something.

Startled.

I was startled not just by my mother’s harsh language, but more so because…

‘Isn’t this a cursed item?’

A suspicious-looking box, stained crimson and engraved with curses.

Ding!

The Emperor of Ajester has entrusted you with a grave task. Take this suspicious-looking box, resembling a cursed object, to the Pope.

▶Success Reward: (Unknown)

Delivering this cursed box to the Pope is a grave task?

Why is the reward ‘unknown’?

Surely it won’t be something like ‘the Pope’s wrath’.

“Ah, understood, Your Majesty.”

I suppressed my unease and took the box from the chief attendant.

“Huhuhu.”

My mother’s eyes shone dangerously as she looked at the box.

There was an almost insane glint in them.

I deliberately averted my gaze and stepped back.

“Klaus Winter. A grave task has befallen you.”

Suddenly, my mother was addressing Klaus.

“You are Ajester’s shield. Guard Luivel, the Third Princess, well.”

“I will protect her with my life and honor.”

After the formal exchange with Klaus, my mother finally turned to Anselot.

“And, Prince Anselot Luenhart.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Anselot stepped forward with a sly smile towards my mother.

“Are you joining this journey as well?”

“Wherever Princess Luivel is, that’s where I should be.”

My mother’s expression turned inscrutable at his response.

“There must be no harm coming to Luivel.”

“Of course. If anyone dares to hurt the Princess, I’ll kill them. So, don’t worry, Your Majesty.”

Anselot replied with a grin, but my mother seemed momentarily speechless.

Then she slowly spoke.

“Ordinary knights would risk their lives for their lady, like Knight Klaus.”

“Then, I shall risk my heart instead. What’s the use of a life that’s given but not taken?”

Anselot chuckled derisively, adding to his statement, while Klaus showed a faint sign of irritation but restrained himself in the presence of the Empress.

“Ha ha ha ha!”

My mother then burst into hearty laughter.

“Interesting, Prince Anselot of Luenhart. But what if you were the one to harm Luivel? Would you then take your own life?”

“It saddens me to have my sincerity doubted. Such a thing will never happen, absolutely.”

Anselot responded with a mockingly sorrowful expression.

Anyone would think we were truly star-crossed lovers.

“Good. Then both of you may step back.”

After Anselot and Klaus left the audience chamber, only my mother and I remained.

Wondering why I was asked to stay back, my mother then called my name.

“Luivel.”

She stood up from her throne with a calm tone, which was different from her usual manner.

“Up to now, my words have been as the Empress of Ajester to the empire’s champion. But from now on, they will be from a mother to her daughter.”

My mother stepped down to stand before me.

Standing face to face with her, I felt a bit nervous and shy, and my eyes wandered.

Then gently―

Her broad palm stroked my head.

“Don’t get hurt, Luivel.”

Huh?

“Don’t get hurt, Luivel.”

I suddenly remembered my mother’s worried voice, caring for me when I was sick as a child.

It was a warm and kind voice that worried about me, uncertain if it was a dream or a fever-induced hallucination.

In this vast palace, where no one paid attention to me, that voice was what kept me going. Maybe it was neither a dream nor a hallucination.

“Take care of yourself, and come back safely.”

“Yes!”

I nodded vigorously.

“And one more thing, as a mother’s advice to her daughter.”

My mother added with a soft smile.

“You’re an adult now. Whomever you meet is your choice. But always remember that every choice comes with responsibility.”

“Yes, Mother.”

Her words seemed to keep in mind my relationship with Anselot.

In truth, Anselot and I were nothing more than acquaintances…

“And if that man ever betrays you, make sure you hit him back twice as hard.”

My mother advised me with a subtle emotional tone in her voice.

“Yes…?”

I blinked, wondering if I had heard her correctly.

What did my mother just advise me to do?

“You’ve never spoken to me about my father.”

However, my confusion was quickly replaced by surprise at my mother’s next words.

“Do I have a father?”

As soon as I asked, I realized how obvious the question was.

“Of course. You didn’t just drop from the sky, so you have a father.”

“Do you remember him?”

I asked, swallowing nervously.

People said my father was probably some lowly man from a one-night stand.

So, I thought maybe my mother didn’t remember him.

“Of course. I remember him.”

But my mother’s answer shattered that assumption.

“I remember him very well. Probably something I’ll never forget in my life.”

“……!”

My ears perked up involuntarily.
Focusing intently on my mother, waiting for her next words, she elegantly curled her lips and said to me,

“Your father was, without a doubt in this world, a despicable scoundrel.”