“Crown Princess’s griffin escapes and rampages in the city… A result of incompetence.”

Slam. The Emperor threw down the newspaper.

Beside him sat the Empress with her pale complexion and Prince Blaine wearing a regretful expression.

The Emperor’s piercing gaze turned toward Crown Princess Lucilia.

“I believe you said you were confident. Was my memory incorrect?”

“……”

Lucilia kept her head bowed, her expression hidden from view.

Yet her trembling fear seemed obvious.

‘I gave the succession to the only legitimate heir.’

A child who only knew how to hold her chin high, panting like a sparrow chasing a stork, doing exactly what she was told.

No backbone. Weak.

The Emperor clicked his tongue.

“Get rid of the griffin. Replace the Harvest Festival opening ceremony as well.”

“Wh-what should we replace it with…?”

“Must you ask me even about such matters, Empress?”

“I-I apologize.”

The Emperor shook his head in disappointment.

“Then let it be known that—”

“It’s not over yet.”

That’s when it happened.

The Crown Princess, whom he thought too intimidated to even speak, raised her head to face him.

Her expression showed a stubbornness he had never witnessed before.

After a moment of surprise, the Emperor revealed his discomfort.

“What is not over?”

“Until now, I didn’t know.”

“Know what?”

“I didn’t know where I was going, nor did I realize I lacked a proper mentor.”

“Are you referring to that wyvern training instructor?”

No. It was a mentor in a broader sense.

Lucilia recalled the last time she saw Calliphe.

‘She was staring down Yvonne II. It might have looked strange to others, but I know. She was using the magic infiltration she taught me.’

Calliphe’s appearance was terrible.

Her hair was completely disheveled, her riding clothes torn. Being magic intolerant, perhaps that explained the blood flowing from her nose and mouth. Her hands and feet trembled visibly even from a distance.

But Calliphe burned with determination.

Her eyes, her aura, her two feet planted firmly on the ground.

All of it blazed like fire.

‘She could have chosen an easier way without getting hurt.’

After all, the Sword Master Duke Ortega stood right beside her.

But Calliphe Offensa willingly chose a direct confrontation.

“Now for the Crown Princess……”

‘And she did it for me.’

Lucilia bit the inside of her mouth.

‘I held her back and looked at her with disdain. Because of me, she almost died.’

How could that be?

‘Calliphe Offensa is… strong.’

Lucilia felt she had finally discovered the true nature of the strength she had vaguely admired.

She absolutely didn’t want to let it go.

So she raised her head and made her request to the Emperor.

“There is something I will regret for the rest of my life if I don’t do it now. So please allow me to do what I must.”

“……”

Everyone, including the Emperor, stared in surprise at the Crown Princess’s strong tone, unprecedented until now.

Prince Blaine watched intently as his younger sister transformed in just a few days.

* * *

The carriage raced toward the shopping district.

Feeling thirsty, I reached for the water glass placed nearby.

“Here you go!”

But before I could grasp the glass, Noah handed me the water.

“…Oh, thanks.”

I awkwardly avoided Noah’s burning gaze.

“It’s a bit hot.”

Maybe I should open the window a bit.

But again, Noah quickly opened the window for me.

He had behaved this way ever since I woke up after groaning for two full days.

“I have arms and legs too, Noah.”

“No.”

“What do you mean, no?”

“I’ll do it for you.”

Noah clenched his fists on his knees.

“I want to help with at least that much.”

“…Sigh. Alright.”

When the carriage stopped, Noah jumped out quickly and took over the attendant’s job, pulling out the footstep.

Lynen whispered while supporting me.

“It seems he feels more helpless due to the frustration of hitting a ‘wall’.”

“A wall……”

In ‘Marino,’ you just had to keep increasing your stats.

But here, to reach the next level, you had to overcome the wall of your current limitations.

‘Just like how Marquis Offensa collapsed without being able to overcome the wall of 8 stars.’

I should find a way, especially for the upcoming martial arts tournament.

With such thoughts, we stopped at our destination.

It was the place where buildings had been destroyed by the Crown Princess’s griffin’s magic bullets four days ago.

‘If I’m going to take responsibility, I should go all the way.’

“Who owns these shops? I’d like to meet the merchants who were doing business here as well.”

“What do you need them for…?”

“I want to apologize and offer compensation for the griffin rampage four days ago.”

The gathered people looked surprised.

They hadn’t expected me to appear in person to discuss compensation.

But then, someone shouted.

“If Lady Offensa hadn’t brought the griffin in the first place, there wouldn’t have been an accident!”

“Blame the Crown Princess too! The lady carried Her Highness on the griffin!”

“That’s right!”

As the criticism grew, others joined in.

“The Crown Princess never wanted to go along in the first place. Because Her Highness dislikes Lady Offensa!”

This seemed like the Young Marquis’s people stirring things up. Perhaps Viscount Gallard’s men?

People swept up in the instigation whispered.

“I heard only Lady Offensa was banned from participating in the Harvest Festival?”

“But she forced the Crown Princess onto the griffin?”

“Was she trying to assassinate the royal family?”

The situation spiraled increasingly out of control.

Just as Lynen frowned and prepared to step forward.

“Her Highness the Crown Princess arrives!”

“…!”

Surprised people turned to see several luxurious carriages approaching in a line.

Soon, the carriage door opened, and Lucilia stepped down with dignity.

“Her Highness the Crown Princess!”

“The small sun of the Empire!”

Startled people quickly made way and bowed their heads to Lucilia.

Among them, those who had been criticizing me glanced in my direction. I heard them whispering among themselves.

“Her Highness must have come to scold Lady Offensa.”

“Right. Otherwise, there’s no reason for her to come.”

Lucilia approached me with determined, fierce steps.

‘Did she really come to scold me?’

As I paid my respects, Lucilia stopped before me. Then, in a clear voice that carried far, she said:

“Calliphe Offensa.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I, Lucilia Manu Clearance, in the name of the Crown Princess, express my gratitude to you.”

“…!?”

Silent shock spread through the surroundings.

The Crown Princess continued.

“In the unprecedented situation where a griffin charged to harm me, you threw yourself in harm’s way without the slightest hesitation to protect me and the citizens.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

“Therefore, I wish to commend your merits in the name of the Crown Princess. All the gold and treasures loaded in that carriage are yours, and if there is any other reward you desire, you may name it.”

The murmurs grew louder.

The commotion around us swelled. More people had gathered by now.

But the Crown Princess hadn’t finished speaking.

“Furthermore, having witnessed your struggle and skill in subduing the griffin closer than anyone else, I earnestly request of you.”

With a deep breath to steel herself, Lucilia then tightly closed her eyes.

And she deeply bowed her waist before me.

“Please accept me as your disciple!”

“…!!”

Not only the gathered crowd but also the knights and attendants who had accompanied the Crown Princess stood shocked.

The Crown Princess asking to be Lady Offensa’s disciple!

And even bowing her head to do so!

The murmurs spread like wildfire.

Amidst it all, Lucilia continued to keep her head bowed. Her hanging hair trembled slightly, revealing her nervousness.

Facing her, I smiled gracefully.

“I refuse, Your Highness.”