TIRS 18

CHAPTER 18. 

“This is the first time… you’ve called my name.”

“I only wanted you to enjoy a life of comfort and luxury as a member of the imperial family. But now that you’ve awakened your sword energy, living as you used to will no longer be possible.”

Mother offered me her advice in her usual solemn voice.

“There will inevitably come a day when you must use that power for the empire. The path may be difficult and dangerous.”

“……”

“So always be careful. Cherish your body above all else.”

Her words sounded cold and rigid at first, but they made my chest tighten with emotion.

“Yes! Thank you, Mother!”

I answered with a bright smile and, for the first time since I was a child, called her “Mother.”

For a moment, her expression stiffened, and I worried I might have made a mistake.

[SYSTEM] ’s affection has increased by 44. (Affection: 955)

Seeing her affection level spike gave me relief.

‘Ah… thank goodness.’

After the conversation with Mother, I stepped outside, and I couldn’t help but smile.

‘Orent was wrong when he said Mother wouldn’t care for someone like me. Mother doesn’t hate me. She likes me.’

It was hard to believe I had just risked my life fighting Hezen and that thing less than an hour ago.

Though everything was still chaotic and confusing, the unexpected warmth from Mother left me giddy.

‘But why has she never shown me that affection until now?’

As I walked, deep in thought about Mother, I noticed two figures standing in the corridor ahead.

It was Gloria and Orent.

The two I had always envied—each the child of one of the empire’s most powerful dukes.

I had always known, and expected this, but still…

1st Princess of the Azester Empire,
Affection: 0

2nd Prince of the Azester Empire,
§Caution Status§
Affection: -273

‘They really don’t like me at all.’

The soaring feeling I had moments ago began to settle.

Just because I’d become the player, just because I had taken Hezen’s place as the “protagonist” of this world, didn’t mean everyone would suddenly love me.

‘Gloria has always been indifferent toward me… but Orent’s affection is in the negatives.’

I realized then that seeing everyone’s affection scores wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

Gloria glanced at me with a frosty gaze before brushing past me. She must have been waiting for me to finish my private meeting with Mother.

“Luivel Azester. I hear you took up a sword?”

Orent approached with a sneer.

“You awakened sword energy and got a private audience with Mother, and now you think you’re someone important?”

I glanced at the display above his head.

While Hezen could only see affection levels of women, I could see everyone’s—regardless of gender.

And ever since earlier, a tag saying “Caution Status” had appeared above Orent’s name.

‘Orent… is wary of me?’

But there was no sign of caution in his expression as he looked down on me.

Suddenly, I remembered something from our childhood.

Back when I was much smaller and younger—

“His Majesty the Emperor once wielded a sword himself and rode into battle. He was truly magnificent!”

“Mother used a sword in battle?”

“Yes. If you visit the Royal Historical Archives, you can see a painting of her in action.”

“Then I want to be a swordswoman like Mother too!”

Inspired by a story the nanny told me, I secretly started learning swordsmanship to impress Mother.

But within a year, Orent found out.

“You? Learning to use a sword? Hah.”

Even as a child, Orent had a gift for cruelty.

“Then let me give you a sparring lesson.”

He said that—and broke my wooden practice sword.

I was only eight at the time. He was already fourteen.

Of course, I didn’t stand a chance.

“Someone like you swinging a sword would only disgrace Mother’s name.”

He sneered, clicking his tongue at me as I held my broken sword in tears.

“Luivel. You’re a disgrace to the royal family. Forget swordsmanship or any other nonsense and just live quietly, out of the way.”

I was too young back then—and with a powerful duke as his father, Orent seemed so mighty.

So I never realized.

That I could become someone Orent would feel threatened by.

“Orent brother.”

At my words, his face twisted with displeasure.

He hated even the idea that we were siblings who shared the same mother.

But I no longer shrank from his reaction. I smiled sweetly and asked,

“Are you… wary of me?”

“What? Why would I be wary of you?!”

His face turned red with anger. And just then—

[SYSTEM] is flustered by your words.

The system window popped up, reporting his status.

‘Oh wow, this is convenient.’

No wonder Hezen had been able to coast through life using this.

I couldn’t help but feel a little satisfied that I’d thrown Orent off balance.

[Ugh, that pathetic little man⁽⁽(੭ꐦ •̀Д•́ )੭⁾⁾
I’m dying to know what conversation the Player just had with Empress .
Shall we tease 2nd Prince a little?]*

Eh? Tease him? Is that really necessary…?

[Let’s tease 2nd Prince just a tiny bit ლ(´ڡ`ლ)

1. (With a mocking smirk) You seem curious about what Mother and I discussed. Well, it’s true—you’ve never had a private audience with her, have you?
2. (With a sweet smile) You seem curious about what Mother and I discussed. Well, it’s true—you’ve never had a private audience with her, have you?
3. (Clicking your tongue) You seem curious about what Mother and I discussed. Well, it’s true—you’ve never had a private audience with her, have you?

I didn’t think teasing him was really necessary, but three options popped up anyway.

‘Aren’t they all basically the same…?’

I chose the second one—the gentlest—and was quietly shocked that even Orent had never met with Mother alone before.

“You seem curious about what Mother and I discussed. Well, it’s true—you’ve never had a private audience with her, have you?”

“What?”

Orent raised his hand, as if to strike me.

‘Oh?’

Wow. How dumb can you be?

Even knowing I’d just awakened as a Swordmaster, he tried to threaten me physically?

I was already thinking about how to counter him when—

“Luivel!”

Elizabeth’s voice rang out from behind.

“Tch.”

Orent turned away and left.

“Luivel, are you okay? He wasn’t really about to hit you, was he?”

Elizabeth rushed over, asking with clear concern.

“He’s still family, but his personality is just awful. Best to avoid him when you can.”

“I completely agree.”

I nodded in agreement.

“By the way, Elizabeth, what happened to the young ladies who were gathered earlier?”

“Thanks to the knights, everyone returned home safely without injury.”

“Oh… that’s such a relief.”

I had been worried, so her words lifted a weight from my heart.

“But Luivel! Is it true? You really became a Swordmaster?”

“Ah, yes, somehow…”

“Oh my goodness!”

Elizabeth threw her arms around me in delight.

“You’re amazing! I’m so proud of you, Lulu!”

I was a bit flustered by her enthusiasm but hugged her back with a smile.

I’d kept my distance before, afraid I was misreading the affection she’d once shown Hezen as my own. But in this moment, I knew her joy was real.

Because just above her head, the words read:

2nd Princess of the Azester Empire,
Affection: 318

It told me that Elizabeth didn’t hate me. That she actually liked me—a fair bit.

“Thank you, Elizabeth. By the way… have you seen Prince Ancelot?”

“Prince Ancelot? Why… Oh.”

She tilted her head, then gave me a sly grin.

“Right, you’d rather get congratulations from him than from me, huh?”

“It’s not like that!”

It seemed she was still misunderstanding the relationship between me and Ancelot, thanks to the conversations at the lake during the boat ride.

Even though I denied it, her mischievous gaze didn’t change.

“If it’s Prince Ancelot you’re looking for, he’s probably at the Sapphire Palace. After today’s events, Mother advised everyone to remain in their assigned quarters.”

By now, the sky had grown dark.

The Sapphire Palace, on the eastern side of the Imperial Palace, was where honored guests stayed.

Just as Elizabeth had said, Ancelot was there.

He stood casually leaning against a pillar at the corridor entrance, as if waiting for me.

Earlier, I had been too preoccupied with survival to think about anything else.

But now, I needed answers.

I just wanted to escape Hezen… so why did I become the player?

“Ancelot!”

He turned at my call, eyes widening slightly. Then his expression softened into a gentle smile.

“This is the first time… you’ve called my name.”

Above his head, there was nothing.

No name, no title, no faction, no affection score. Nothing.

“…I can’t see it.”

I murmured under my breath, dazed. He responded with a faint smile.

It was strange.

At first, the fact that nothing appeared above his head had made me fear and distrust him.

But now… why—

Why do I feel relieved?

Why does the fact that I can’t see Ancelot’s affection score… make me feel safe?