Ch#124
They had been close since childhood.
Of course, if said aloud, both would retch and make faces like their stomachs were churning.
But it was an undeniable fact that Ruska was Arsel's closest friend, and Arsel was Ruska's.
As children of some of the empire's most renowned noble houses, they were always surrounded by people eager to build connections.
The reason these two grew especially close amid such people was not only their long time together since childhood but also because they never crossed each other's lines.
Thus, they had never truly clashed or confronted each other earnestly.
They always backed off when they felt it was appropriate.
Fortunately, both were quick to read such situations and had no desire to provoke the few friends they had.
But not today.
"Take this!"
"What? Can't grab me, huh?"
To an outsider, it might look like a brutish grapple of grabbing and tackling.
But in the Marquis Ragselb household, bare-handed sparring like this was a fundamental and crucial part of training.
One had to quickly grasp their own physical traits as well as their opponent's.
From that, determine how long they could hold out and when to exert force.
Even the ability to assess differences between oneself and the opponent in the moment of clash.
Naturally, Ruska and Arsel had sparred countless times as well.
But never with the intent to truly decide a winner, so they always stopped at an appropriate point.
Not today, however.
"You really... huff... admitting defeat?"
"You're the one... huff... who should."
Panting roughly, they continued glaring at each other.
It was the first time they had refused to yield even unto death.
One might expect annoyance, but there was no resentment in their glaring faces.
Honestly, both were enjoying this situation.
It was the first time they had pushed each other to the limit without holding back.
Thus...
"I'm not losing."
"Who said that to whom."
The two boys wiped sweat from their hands, then prepared to grab and topple each other again.
"Wow, ruthless kids."
Eric, watching, shook his head.
"No, seriously, what's got you two so fired up?"
At the question, Arsel and Ruska answered simultaneously.
"Evi has to decide which house to live in!"
"Gotta win to bring Evi to my house!"
At that, Eric crossed his arms in disbelief.
"What nonsense is this...?"
When did they even make such a bet?
Irene, who had overheard nearby, looked at them as if they'd lost their minds.
"What nonsense. Who said Evi's going anywhere? Isn't it obvious she'll live with me at my house? We're already sharing a room."
She added while tidying the wooden skewers on the ground.
"Stop with the delusions and wrap it up. Can't you see everyone else cleaning?"
She was right.
As time grew too late and the duel showed no sign of ending, people had started cleaning up.
Agreeing with Irene, Eric flipped the dueling sand timer.
"Finish in 5 minutes. Or it's a draw."
"Tch."
"Argh!"
A draw? Their eyes flashed anew at the word.
After going all out like this, a draw was even worse.
As they sought openings to target weaknesses again.
"...!"
Not just Arsel and Ruska, but Eric and even the apprentice knights cleaning froze and turned their heads.
"What's with everyone?"
Irene looked around in confusion.
Moments later, even in the night, dust rose on the road. And not from one horse, but several galloping.
"Warhorses?"
"Trained riders."
To Irene, just distant hoofbeats, but the Ragselb brothers, Arsel, and apprentices had discerned it all from the faint sound.
Unprompted, all entered alert stances, glaring down the road.
Some quickly fetched or drew weapons.
Amid the sudden tension, Irene panicked and searched for Evi.
"Huh?"
She had been tidying food under the tent just before, but Evi was nowhere.
Only one path to the mansion. And Evi wouldn't go alone.
As Irene tried to search around the tent, Ruska and Arsel, now approaching, held her back.
"Stay here."
"But..."
Before Irene could speak, horse neighs sounded close.
As all tensed, Ruska, listening intently, spoke in surprise.
"Father?"
At that, his brothers listened closer and blinked.
"Huh? For real?"
"Wasn't he at the Imperial Palace? Why back at this hour?"
"And... in a huge rush?"
Sure enough, moments later, Marquis Ragselb appeared on horseback.
"Marquis!"
The alert apprentices lowered weapons and watched their approaching lord.
Marquis Ragselb wasn't alone. Four knights followed him.
All froze upon seeing them.
Their uniforms bore a very familiar crest.
"Imperial Knight Order!"
Murmurs spread.
No matter one's aspiring order, the Imperial Knight Order was always the most coveted.
Arriving near the group, the marquis and Imperial Knights swiftly dismounted.
"Knight Rommel!"
"Knight Hilde too!"
"Knight Zigmund and Knight Aiden as well!"
They were the Imperial Knight Order's representatives.
But them here with Marquis Ragselb meant...
All eyes turned to the last arrival.
In the distant flickering bonfire light, his bright blonde hair gleamed as he dismounted.
And the deep blue eyes scanning them all.
Above all, the natural arrogance and poise.
Despite plain clothes, all knew who he was.
Irene, Arsel, and Ruska, having seen him recently, especially.
"Your Majesty!"
Amid surprised calls, all knelt on one knee, bowing.
Clois said to those greeting him.
"Greetings done. Everyone, rise."
They hesitated, glancing, then stood.
No one spoke, but all thought the same.
Why is His Majesty here?
Scanning all quickly, he said.
"Where is Evi?"
* * *
"Up you go."
Evi was climbing a tree.
Looking up, a trembling kitten perched on a branch.
Meow.
As Evi climbed higher, the kitten let out a faint cry barely audible.
"It was you."
Evi smiled and climbed further.
She had heard strange sounds from the forest since dinner.
All said nothing, but Evi heard clearly.
A small sound seeking someone.
Forgotten amid tasty food and watching apprentices spar.
Returning to the tent to clean as Arsel and Ruska's duel dragged, she heard it again.
Unable to see into the dark forest, Evi circled and headed in.
Once lush before sunset, nothing tripped her legs as she walked.
Soon, Evi found the trembling kitten atop the tree.
Below, its mother cat limped, holding up one leg.
"Couldn't climb up injured."
Meow.
As if agreeing, the mother mewed softly.
Evi hugged the trunk and climbed.
Times at the Poorhouse picking fruits atop trees proved useful now.
"Ugh, have I gotten heavy?"
Effortless then, but now her arms strained more.
Still, she hadn't forgotten how.
Panting, sweat beading, Evi reached the precarious branch.
Hiss!
As Evi neared, the kitten bristled like a hedgehog.
Evi reached carefully.
"Not hurt?"
Fearful yet immobile, the kitten was caught.
"It's okay. To Mama."
As if understanding, the hissing kitten soon purred, crawling into Evi's arms.
"Hm... you could jump down."
Kittens don't hurt from this height.
The forest floor was soft with summer leaves.
Meow?
Sensing intent, it squirmed.
Below, the anxious mother circled, leg raised.
'Wish someone could catch it.'
Then she could lower it safely.
As Evi thought to call outside, approaching footsteps sounded deeper in.
"Here! Help!"
Irene? Or Arsel or Ruska post-duel?
Maybe a Ragselb brother or apprentice.
Hearing her, steps quickened.
As the figure parted bushes.
"Your Majesty!"
Evi called in surprise.
"Evi!"
Clois called back startled.
"Why up there..."
Couldn't find her, searched frantically, heard voice, rushed—only to find her in a tree.
"Your Majesty! Catch the kitten!"
"Uh, huh?"
Evi held out the kitten and tossed it gently to Clois.
Meow!
Caught off-guard but safe in Clois's arms.
The circling mother urged him to set it down.
Clois did; she bit its scruff and dashed into bushes.
Before vanishing, she turned gratefully, gazed at them, then gone.
"Bye! Be well!"
Evi waved toward them.
"Evi! Dangerous! Stay still!"
"It's fine. I'm good at trees."
But Clois watching wasn't fine at all.
Then the mansion's midnight bell tolled distantly.
Hearing it, Clois looked up at tree-bound Evi.
"I asked Irene Terins if I could spend your last week with you. She gladly agreed."
Evi's eyes widened.
Thought returning to Irene's, but with His Majesty?
"Forgot to ask you. Evi, if okay, come play with me?"
Thus saying, Clois spread arms to treetop Evi.
As if saying jump, he'll catch.
Hurtful height for a person. But...
"Yes!"
Evi answered vigorously, leaping without hesitation into Clois's arms.
No fear.
His Majesty would surely catch her!
Brief falling sensation, then firm yet soft arms embraced her.
'Secret, but...'
Irene dresses her pretty, Arsel teaches much, Ruska feeds tasty—all wonderful.
'...I like His Majesty most.'
Evi laughed in long-missed Clois's arms, hugging his neck.
