Ch#125
As Clois emerged from the forest carrying Evi, everyone swarmed around them.
"Evi!"
"Evi, are you okay?"
Rarely, even with the emperor present, the one receiving all the attention was someone else.
"I'm fine. Oh? It's Knight Rommel! Knight Hilde too!"
Spotting the Imperial Knight Order, Evi greeted them happily, and Hilde's sharp eyes softened.
At that sight, the Ragselb brothers and apprentice knights' eyes widened in surprise.
Who was Knight Hilde? Iron-blooded knight, mad dog of the battlefield, witch, bloodstorm—sweeping up every fearsome nickname.
Her eyepatch over one eye was excellent proof of her heroic tales.
The strongest among knights, yet infamous for her cold personality and sharp demeanor toward others.
Because of that, everyone knew the famous story that Knight Rommel, more sociable than her, had taken the position of Imperial Knight Captain.
Anyway, a knight who never smiled at others, let alone in the biting wind.
"Evi, really. I told you to call me big sis."
Looking at Evi in Clois's arms as if wanting to hold her herself, she strode forward with a smile, making everyone doubt their eyes.
Not just the Imperial Knights.
His own sons, the apprentices, Arsel, and even the unfamiliar girl.
Despite surrounding the emperor, everyone's gaze was fixed not on him, but on the child in his arms.
"Where did you go? We were worried and looking for you."
Instead of Evi, Clois answered Irene's grumbling.
"She climbed a tree to rescue a kitten that couldn't come down."
"Right, Evi kept saying she heard strange sounds from the forest alone."
Irene said as if remembering now.
Marquis Ragselb looked toward the forest at those words.
Even as a forest within the estate, it was densely overgrown with bushes.
She went in alone and found it?
Normally, one would trip over bushes and thorns after a few steps.
Moreover, with so many people around making noise, she alone heard the kitten's cries.
'My sons would have heard anything notable first.'
Yet it seemed Evi had heard it alone and entered the forest.
At that situation, Marquis Ragselb felt a sense of déjà vu.
It had definitely happened before. Someone who entered the forest alone without ever getting hurt, moving as freely as if it were their home.
At the same time, Duke Kailun's words came to mind. Hadn't he told him to take a good look at the visiting child?
A child his son and even the standoffish Arsel stayed beside, worrying over.
Then, their eyes met, and Evi asked Clois to be put down, came before Marquis Ragselb, and bowed politely.
"Hello, Marquis Ragselb. I'm Evi Alden. Thank you for inviting me to your wonderful estate."
Despite looking so young, her crisp attitude and greeting made the marquis smile unwittingly.
At that moment, Clois approached behind Evi, picked her up again, and said,
"It's a shame we're parting right after the greeting. Still, since Evi and Ruska are close, we'll meet again sometime."
"Pardon? Parting? What do you mean?"
The marquis was flustered seeing Clois act as if leaving somewhere.
It had just passed midnight. Naturally, he thought they'd stay at the marquis estate and leave later.
"Since Evi isn't too tired, we're heading straight to the villa. I also think staying suddenly at the marquis estate would inconvenience the staff..."
Clois said that and looked at Knight Rommel.
Understanding the emperor's intent, he continued.
"The imperial villa is more convenient for security as well."
"That's right."
No need to persuade further. With the emperor's will so firm, asking would just waste time.
"Understood. Then, if it's alright, how about riding Elishia? The horses are tired from galloping here, and with the child, Elishia would be easier to handle."
"I'll gratefully accept the kindness."
At the marquis's signal, Ain and Eric hurriedly went to fetch Elishia from the stables.
In the meantime, Vanessa, who had been notified, quickly packed a small bag with Evi's essentials.
"Here. I packed the magic stone and doll too, miss."
Vanessa opened the bag to show them tucked safely among the clothes, and Evi finally breathed in relief.
"Magic stone?"
"Yes, the one His Majesty gave you! The doll's with it."
"Doll?"
"The squirrel doll from the festival raffle!"
"...I didn't know she carried that around always."
Saying it as if wondering why carry such a thing, Clois's lips curved up slightly.
And packing it as the most important item.
Fortunately, it was dark.
Otherwise, everyone would have clearly seen his twitching lips.
A moment later.
Despite clearly being dragged out sleepy and grumpy, Elishia saw Evi and neighed happily, approaching to nuzzle her face.
"Then, thank you, marquis. Send Evi's remaining things slowly in the morning."
"Understood."
Clois held Evi tightly with one arm and mounted effortlessly, stepping into the stirrup.
At the skilled sight, the onlookers recalled anew that he had roamed more battlefields than most knights.
"Depart!"
At Knight Rommel's shout, the four knights split front and back to escort Clois and Evi.
"Bye, Irene! Arsel! Ruska! See you later! Oppa too! Knights too!"
Evi wriggled in Clois's arms, poked her face out, and waved smiling.
"See you later!"
"Bye, Evi!"
"Come play again! If you don't like Ruska, marry oppa... Hey! Why hit me!"
People waved to Evi with their own farewells.
The emperor left as suddenly as he had come.
"He's gone."
Irene turned from watching the emperor's receding figure in the darkness.
There stood Arsel and Ruska, looking dejected no matter who saw.
'They came at dawn and I thought they were impressive...'
The emperor took Evi right at midnight.
'Is this His Majesty's victory?'
Evi went happily too.
Irene turned to Marquis Ragselb and greeted him.
"Hello, marquis. I'm Irene Terins. Evi's friend, staying with her. It's an honor to meet you."
The tomboy who had been roasting marshmallows by the bonfire with Evi moments ago was gone.
"Thank you for hosting us."
Instead, an elegant young lady worthy of high society bowed gracefully.
Watching from beside, Ruska gaped in disbelief, then made a retching sound as if nauseous.
Irene's hand lightning-quick poked his side.
The quick, natural shift in expression as needed, her natural demeanor. Above all, at the bold Irene beating his son, the marquis's eyes gleamed.
'She's got talent.'
He was very pleased with the girl.
* * *
Chirrp.
At the unfamiliar bird call, Evi opened her eyes.
Her puffy eyes from deep sleep blinked a few times, and she frowned at the unfamiliar ceiling and dazzling sunlight pouring in.
"Ah, here... His Majesty's villa..."
Shortly after leaving the marquis estate, Evi had fallen asleep as is.
Having played all day as the last day, she was quite tired.
She vaguely remembered briefly opening her eyes, hearing they'd arrived, and seeing people coming out to greet at the villa.
"Yawn..."
Stretching languidly, Evi got up, quickly tidied the bedding, opened the door, and went out.
"Oh, Miss Evi. You're awake."
An elderly maid outside smiled brightly and approached Evi.
Being called Miss Evi was somehow embarrassing, but Miss Evi even more so, making her palms itch.
"Just call me Evi."
"Oh dear, how could we dare call the one who came with His Majesty the Emperor so casually. Come, His Majesty is waiting downstairs, so hurry and wash up."
"His Majesty is already up?"
"Of course."
At the words that Clois was up and waiting, Evi quickly went to the bathroom with the maid, washed, and changed.
The dressing room was already full of clothes sent ahead from Irene's mansion.
Changing into comfortable clothes for moving, Evi hurried downstairs.
"Your Majesty!"
"Awake?"
Clois, reading a book below, smiled brightly at Evi coming down.
"Yes, did you sleep well?"
Clois spread his arms toward Evi bowing.
Like in the forest last night, Evi naturally ran and snuggled into them.
The knights nearby watched enviously.
And were surprised at Clois so relaxed around them.
Clois's recent schedule had been hectic.
The emperor's seat was never easy, but even busier since Siren's issue overlapped.
Yet taking a week off. Practically impossible.
'But he made it happen.'
Clois spent days in the office without proper sleep, issuing orders and checking documents nonstop.
Ministers who didn't know begged the knights to stop him.
They had tried.
After rock-paper-scissors, Rommel spoke for them.
"Your Majesty, going outside the Imperial Palace for a week might be too much. With Siren too..."
Clois glanced and replied.
"Shouldn't I go out especially because of that bastard?"
"Pardon?"
"If Siren's sneaked into the capital in disguise, I just need to leave the capital."
"...?"
Is that so?
Didn't make sense, but rethinking, it kind of did...
Eventually, the knights gave up persuading Clois.
"Now, shall we go for breakfast?"
Clois took Evi's hand toward the dining room.
The knights watched his back, thinking.
Anyway, this was his first official vacation since becoming emperor.
May it be a joyful time.
