TIRS 21

Chapter 21:

 I’m Also Uncannily Good at Waiting

I briefly considered telling the knights that I’d just picked up this at the scene.

But I shook my head.

Even if I handed over an item whose effects had already worn off, they wouldn’t be able to connect the dots between the flute and the monsters.

“In the original story, the existence of a flute that summoned monsters wasn’t revealed until the latter half of the work.”

While I quietly mulled this over, I suddenly widened my eyes and turned to Ancelot.

“You—how do you know about the horn flute?”

“And how do you know about it, Your Highness?”

Ancelot looked down at me with a smug expression and shot back.

“Well, I guess there’s nothing you don’t know…”

At this point, it was more surprising when he didn’t know something, so I just shook my head instead of replying.

The sky was starting to darken. The time for the ball was drawing near.

As we turned and walked toward the ballroom, I suddenly asked him,

“You’re not trying to persuade me to continue the scenario today?”

“Would you, if I tried?”

“No.”

I answered immediately. He let out a chuckle.

“See?”

I tilted my head, puzzled by how easily he gave up.

“I thought you wanted the Light Dragon gone?”

Wasn’t that why he kept trying to nudge me into going after it?

“If Your Highness doesn’t want to, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll just have to wait for you to change your mind.”

“You’re speaking like a normal person for once.”

I scoffed, hearing such a rational response from someone who usually seemed like he’d do anything to achieve his goals.

Ancelot chuckled softly and said in a calm voice,

“I’m actually really good at waiting.”

The ballroom, where my mother’s birthday celebration was being held.

“Wow…”

I gasped at the massive crowd gathered there.

Originally, I hadn’t planned to come today. Only a few days ago, my life had been threatened by Hezen.

But now, I was no longer terminal.

[Radiant Swordmaster] Lv. 17 — Luivel Azester

I glanced up at the golden window hovering above me.

The word [Terminal] that once terrified me, and the constantly decreasing [Remaining Lifespan], had long since disappeared.

In their place was a name with an absolutely cringe-worthy flair: [Radiant Swordmaster].

“If only that golden window would disappear too.”

Back in my angsty school days, that name had sounded so cool when I read it in the story.

But now that it was my title, it made my skin crawl.

At least the name was visible only to me and Ancelot.

“The Emperor has arrived!”

The attendant at the door announced my mother’s entrance.

She walked in with her usual regal stride.

“Despite recent disturbances in the imperial palace, everyone responded calmly and helped prevent greater damage.”

As she scanned the crowd, her gaze suddenly landed on me.

“Luivel Azester.”

She called my name out of the blue.

Caught off guard, I stepped forward, hiding my surprise.

“I, Third Princess Luivel, greet His Majesty the Emperor, the brightest sun of the Azester Empire.”

I bowed carefully and looked up, locking eyes with her.

She gazed at me with her usual stern expression.

At her signal, the chamberlain approached, holding a large sword sheath.

“You played the biggest role in resolving this incident. In recognition, I bestow upon you the Emperor’s Sword.”

“…!”

My eyes widened in shock.

It was the very sword she had once wielded herself on horseback in her youth, cutting down enemies on the battlefield.

Later in the original story, Hezen had carried this same sword.

My hands trembled slightly as I received it.

[SYSTEM] You have acquired the item .

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

When our eyes met again, there was the slightest crinkle at the corners of her eyes.

My heart thudded—this was the first time I truly felt acknowledged by her.

All around me, attention poured in, and I could see Favorability Scores shifting in real time above people’s heads.

Some had genuine goodwill toward me. Others clearly didn’t. It was all laid bare in numbers.

I moved off to the corner to avoid the stares.

[Wow! That’s amazing, Player! Don’t you want to swing that awesome sword around just a little? (งᐛ)ว (งᐖ)ว]

This annoying system window was always dying for a chance to chat.

[Let’s ride this momentum and jump into the scenario to slay the Light Dragon!!! |•’-‘•)و✧ Sound fun? So exciting, right?]

“Not at all.”

I answered flatly, and the system window immediately looked like it was about to cry.

[You’re so mean｡°(っ°´o`°ｃ)°｡ Can’t you be a little nicer? I’m a delicate system window with feelings (♡’ㅅ’)♡⁼³₌₃]

“…Do you have a personality or something?”

I muttered, half-jokingly.

[Of course I do! Why wouldn’t I?! ◥(⃔`꒳´ )⃕◤]**

“Oh really?”

I scoffed.

“So you’re the system?”

[Gasp! No way! I could never!]

The window flailed in panic—so much that it didn’t even use a single emoji, which was impressive in its own right.

“Then what are you?”

[I’m the Herald!]

“The herald?”

[Yes! The brave and dutiful herald who conveys Their words, and helps you avoid getting lost in the scenario…]

“And who is ‘They’?”

[Ah! Th-that… even you, Player, can’t know that!]

“Okay, fine. Whatever.”

So there was someone—or something—behind the system. Someone the Herald referred to as Them.

‘If they’re a “they,” does that mean they look human?’

“But hey, you. You say you have a personality, but I guess you’re not that smart. I’m not the Player. So disappear, would you?”

I figured the Herald would throw a fit at the harsh words.

Instead, its reply was calm—and full of certainty.

[No. You are the Player.]

‘…?’

I was about to ask how it could be so sure, when—

“Your Highness.”

Ancelot appeared beside me at some point, resting a hand on my shoulder and motioning toward my mother.

She was looking straight at me. As was everyone else in the ballroom.

‘Wait… don’t tell me they saw me talking to the system window like a weirdo?’

But over the past few days, I’d realized that no one found it odd when I spoke to the system window.

Just like when Hezen tried to kill me and everyone ignored it, thanks to the Veil of Narrative Plausibility.

Just like how the death of Roana, my maid, was accepted without question.

Still, I glanced around nervously.

Ancelot leaned close and whispered,

“Her Majesty has passed the first dance to you.”

“Huh? To me…?”

It was known that the Emperor hadn’t danced in nearly twenty years.

But this year’s celebration was unusually grand, and many hoped she would start the ball with a dance.

Especially the Dukes of Lawrence and Hamilton—fathers to Gloria and Orent. They were staring at me with barely concealed frustration.

No wonder.

They had fathered children with the Emperor but had never been publicly acknowledged as her consorts. They probably longed to dance with her tonight more than anyone.

With so many eyes on me, my throat felt dry.

When I stood awkwardly still, my mother gave me a slight nod.

At balls, it was tradition for men to ask women for a dance.

But the first dance was different—especially when the lead was a woman.

She had the right to choose her partner.

Now that my mother had passed the honor to me, it was my turn to make the selection.

Nearby, some young ladies I’d had tea with at the lake sparkled with excitement as they watched me and Ancelot.

I turned to him again.

‘So I have to ask him to dance…’

Rumors about us were already circulating.

I had expected them to spread once we entered together, but being the first dance partners took it to another level.

Unlike my anxious heart, Ancelot’s eyes curved gently in a calm smile.

‘He’s totally enjoying this, isn’t he?’

Still, I couldn’t delay forever.

“Prince Ancelot Luenhart, would you do me the honor of sharing this first dance on this glorious day?”

As Ancelot’s handsome lips curled into a grin, I heard the wistful sighs of young ladies echo around us.

“Of course.”

He bowed to me and extended his hand.

“If Your Highness would grant me this honor, I would be delighted.”

Reluctantly, I placed my hand in his.

[Oh my gosh!! This is romance!! ( ✪ワ✪)ノ]

Ignoring the sparkly-eyed system window, I began to move with the music as the musicians began to play.

He placed his hand on my shoulder, drawing us uncomfortably close.

I glanced at his face, recalling our earlier conversation.

“I’m actually really good at waiting.”

I’d been ready to dismiss it with a sharp retort—waiting wouldn’t change anything.

But then I saw his eyes.

Though his tone had been light, the look in his eyes was distant and lonely—like someone who had waited a long, long time.

‘Since when does Salto seem lonely? That doesn’t suit him at all.’

Just then, our eyes met beneath his long, silvery lashes—those crimson irises curving into a crescent.

Heat crept up my face. I quickly averted my gaze.

He chuckled lowly above my head.

That warm, teasing laugh tickled at something inside me, and I shook my head to clear it.

Then suddenly, I noticed something odd.

“Ancelot…”

I whispered softly so no one else could hear.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“You…”

I stared at him for a moment before saying,

“…Why are you so bad at dancing?”

Ancelot couldn’t dance.

Amazingly, unbelievably bad at it.