Ch#127
The place where Evi and Clois were staying was quite modest, even though it was called an imperial villa.
It was a place said to have been built by some past emperor who wanted to experience the life of a commoner.
Of course, it was vastly different from actual commoner life, but among imperial villas, it was on the smaller side.
With just two loyal maids, four knights, and Evi and Clois, it was lively enough.
And the noisiest place was always the kitchen.
"This is the one I caught!"
Evi pointed to the largest fish in the tub, scraping the back of her hand.
"This one's Your Majesty, this one's Knight Hilde..."
Even without name tags on the fish, Evi remembered perfectly who had caught which of the dozens.
"But I helped you catch that one, didn't I?"
Behind her, Clois grumbled with arms crossed, sounding a bit dissatisfied.
Behind him stood the even more dissatisfied knights.
"Fishing is unfair. We should compete on who can hang from the tree longer."
"Agreed. Arm wrestling or more push-ups—that's a proper contest."
At the emperor and knights bickering, the elderly maid chuckled and said,
"Any edible berries in the forest? The ones we brought are ripening faster than expected, so nothing suitable to top the pancakes."
"Ah! I know!"
Evi swiftly grabbed a small basket from the table and dashed outside.
"The first to fill their basket wins!"
At Evi's words, Clois snatched a larger basket nearby, not wanting to lose, and followed her out.
"Evi! Wait for me!"
The knights hurriedly chased after Clois.
"Your Majesty! We should go together!"
* * *
They went fishing, picked wild berries, ate lunch, went swimming.
Living a true summer vacation as people described, Clois felt strange.
This was the summer he had dreamed of long ago. But something he hadn't done even once in seven years.
The sound of wind, leaves rustling in it, and birdsong.
It had been so long since he'd savored such peace.
As Clois took an old classic from the small bookshelf, he suddenly thought the villa was awfully quiet.
Looking around, the chattering child who never rested was gone.
'She's napping.'
After swimming back and gorging on snacks, Evi had started dozing off.
Knight Hilde had scooped her up, saying a nap would be good, and taken her upstairs.
Lost in thought briefly, he headed to the second floor.
Going to Evi's room, he saw the child sleeping soundly through the open door for ventilation.
He thought of just peeking and leaving, but unwittingly went to the bedside and sat quietly in the chair.
Wearing yellow pajamas covered in chick patterns from Irene's pre-sent clothes top and bottom, she looked exactly like a big chick.
Propping his chin, gazing at the sleeping child, his eyes fell on the magic stone on the nightstand.
'To think she'd carry this around always.'
The magic stone he gave her wasn't small enough to call tiny, even for a child.
So he'd assumed she'd left it at the Genius Academy when going out.
But how surprised he'd been seeing it in the luggage Vanessa handed over.
'Good that I gave it.'
It held a memory with Lilian.
He'd felt no reluctance giving something related to her.
As if sending it to where it belonged.
Not just the magic stone. The small wooden squirrel doll beside it too.
Evi, who had stayed at Irene's, Arsel's, and Ruska's homes.
Those children must have given her far better and prettier things.
Yet Clois felt proud that Evi still treasured this plain wooden doll most.
He pulled the thin summer blanket kicked off her feet back over her.
Perhaps liking the feel of something covering her.
Evi smiled contentedly even in sleep.
At that smile, Clois briefly held his breath.
'Again...'
He closed his eyes for a moment.
He'd thought it again.
How nice it would be if this child were Evebien.
Not the first time.
At some point, he'd naturally treated Evi like his own daughter.
No matter how busy, when Evi came, he'd end meetings and return to the office; he got reports from Seraphina on everything from her grades to class progress and minor details.
He'd even considered adoption once.
But it remained just a thought.
From the moment he announced himself her guardian, her life had changed greatly.
Adoption? No succession rights, but belonging to the imperial family carried immense weight incomparable to a mere guardian.
An honor others would struggle for, but Clois knew how terrifying and heavy it was.
Was it right to burden her with that yoke just because he felt affection?
Yet he couldn't let go of the lingering attachment.
Wanting to see her live as his daughter...
After watching the sleeping child long, he sorted his troubled heart and shifted thoughts elsewhere.
'The Seasonal Festival is soon.'
After summer ended and back at the Genius Academy, before the children settled, the grand festival would begin.
He'd already prepared to attend via the chamberlain.
'I want to make wonderful memories.'
Last Seasonal Festival, hadn't he lost the child?
Seeing Evi trembling without crying, he'd been speechless.
Having given such a mess of a memory, he wanted only good ones this time—his selfish desire.
'Clothes prepared well thanks to Irene Terins.'
Of the two weeks Irene had, he'd asked for one via letter.
Reply came promptly, gladly agreeing—but with a condition.
[May I have Madam Crevel, a truly excellent designer, make Evi's Seasonal Festival dress? Evi doesn't know yet, but I want to make winter clothes too. Please permit it.]
Of course, demanding he pay.
Feeling she'd withhold the week if refused, Clois quickly replied to prepare as wished, sparing no expense.
Recalling her cheeky reply, Clois gazed at sleeping Evi again.
At first sight, she'd been heartbreakingly thin.
But over the semester, she'd regained her innate loveliness.
Plump cheeks, flawless rosy complexion. And glossy bright golden hair.
Her hair looked just like his; Clois blankly fiddled with it.
"Mm..."
Ticklish perhaps, Evi frowned, wriggling under the blanket.
Clois chuckled softly, withdrew his hand, and stood.
About to go downstairs, he changed mind and sat on the long sofa in the room.
For quiet, comfortable reading, this seemed best.
* * *
"Mm..."
Woken by cool breeze through the window, Evi opened her eyes.
'Right, came up for a nap.'
She recalled Knight Hilde marveling at the small pajamas and dressing her.
Then straight to sleep upon lying down.
Turning her head, Clois slept sitting on the sofa nearby, arms crossed.
'His Majesty must be sleepy too.'
Normally startled, but groggy, Evi just gazed at him.
If she's this sleepy, he must be tired too.
"..."
Gazing blankly, Evi gathered the blanket and approached him.
Comfortable perhaps. Deep asleep sitting, he didn't stir as she neared.
Evi covered him with her blanket, then sat beside.
Glancing, she lay using his thigh as pillow.
Then her hand itched oddly. Scratching several times, Evi closed her eyes.
Hot summer day, yet his pillow warm and nice.
Pulling the slipped blanket around herself, Evi fell asleep again.
Thus, the two enjoyed a leisurely summer nap until Hilde came up.
