Ch#137
Ruska recalled the contents of that letter.
'The inn had been closed for a long time, and the owner couple had left for elsewhere.'
The retainer who had surveyed the crumbling inn reported that its structure matched exactly what Ruska had described, and as mentioned, there was indeed a hot spring in the middle of the forest nearby.
[We tried asking villagers about the whereabouts of the owner couple, but two years ago, wolves from the forest suddenly began descending into the village, causing all the residents to relocate elsewhere as well. It's difficult to gather information. We will continue tracking the couple and search for the villagers to ask if they know anything about the child.]
He had thought something was finally breaking through upon hearing they found the inn, only for it to loop back to square one.
The one fortunate detail from the report was that the wolves descending two years ago happened after Evi had left the place.
'If they had attacked the village while Evi was there, it would have been disastrous.'
He doubted the owner couple would have protected the child they employed.
'But isn't this similar too?'
There had been plenty of wolves in the forest even when Evi was there, yet almost immediately after she left, they entered the village without hesitation.
'Just like how Lilian protected the village.'
The forest next to Lilian's territory was also full of wolves. Yet they never came down to the village.
He had found that curious, and one day when Lilian was away from the territory, he saw the residents repairing the walls and closing the gates.
When he asked why, they looked at him as if wondering why he would ask something so obvious.
"Without Lady Lilian here, the wolves come into the village without fear."
"Young master, don't go out at night either."
He thought it absurd, but that night, wolves really tried to scale the walls.
The walls were too high for them to succeed, but while Lilian was away, no one from the territory ventured into the forest.
According to the report, wasn't it just like that?
Right after Evi left the village, the forest wolves entered without restraint...
'It's certain! Absolutely certain!'
In Ruska's mind already, Evi was Princess Evebien.
'Ugh, if it weren't for the Genius Academy, I would've gone investigate myself.'
He had thrown a fit to Marquis Ragselb, insisting he go himself, but the marquis was firm.
"A student's duty is to study. With matters in the Imperial Palace too, don't think unnecessary thoughts and go obediently to the Genius Academy."
As if knowing Ruska would grow restless if sent back without tasks, the marquis frequently sent letters updating him on the situation while patting his son's shoulder, saying he looked forward to next semester's grades.
Ruska led Evi and Irene a bit further inside, then glanced at the entrance.
The banquet would start soon.
'I wonder if things are going well on Margrave Derushna's side?'
Marquis Ragselb had arranged for her to intercept Count Aradman and retrieve the child he had with him, supposedly Eve.
Everyone thought that Eve was a fabricated fake princess.
'Covering the back of her hand means they must have made a fake Imperial Mark.'
Thus, Duke Kailun had indirectly asked Dean Seraphina to prepare a spell that could detect the unique power of the Imperial Mark.
Though puzzled, Dean Seraphina had agreed.
Duke Kailun wasn't one to waste time on pointless tasks. If he requested it, there must be a reason.
As Ruska grew anxious hoping for other news, Arsel appeared at the entrance.
Naturally, people flocked to Arsel's side.
He was the top admit when the Genius Academy reopened this year and had taken first place in the first semester as well—an outstanding record.
Because of that, people were convinced the emperor would adopt Arsel.
In the past, he might have felt a bit bitter watching everyone focus solely on Arsel, thinking it natural yet feeling inferior.
But not now.
'Hang in there, Arsel!'
This year, seeing that scene didn't stir jealousy; he only pitied Arsel.
'Poor guy. I'm here with Evi and Irene.'
Arsel would have to greet and chat endlessly with people he barely cared about.
In truth, the three weren't without approaches either.
Arsel was simply the priority.
Moreover, Ruska slipped away after brief greetings, Irene's cold demeanor made her hard to approach, and whenever someone neared Evi saying, 'Isn't that the child under His Majesty's guardianship?', Irene would glare from beside her.
That glare seemed to say, 'Touch our Evi and I'll bite!', so people hesitated to approach Evi rashly.
A bit more time passed, and the attendants guarding the door closed the banquet hall entrance.
"Huh? The door closed."
As Evi looked puzzled, Ruska explained.
"By imperial law, banquets attended by His Majesty close the doors on time. They reopen after His Majesty greets everyone and leaves."
Typically, the emperor gives greetings and moves to the adjoining reception room.
That way, attendees can enjoy the banquet freely.
As the doors closed, the music changed to something slower and more majestic.
"This is the music played when His Majesty enters. He's here."
At Ruska's explanation, Evi's heart began pounding fiercely.
'Finally, meeting His Majesty again.'
Evi murmured under her breath the words she had practiced alone hundreds of times last night.
'Can I do well?'
She had practiced diligently, but what if she froze before His Majesty?
What if he thought she was refusing?
She knew he wouldn't, yet worries kept surging.
'It's okay. Even if I stutter, His Majesty will surely wait.'
Moments later, the side door to the banquet hall opened, and Clois entered with the ministers.
He ascended the slightly elevated dais at one end with quick, anxious steps and looked over the crowd.
"That's His Majesty the Emperor!"
"To think we'd finally see him like this."
Among the guardians who entered with the children, those seeing Clois for the first time couldn't hide their awe.
No one was unaware he was the victor of the war of succession and a strong knight.
But they had thought tales of his dignity exaggerated.
'Moreover, he rarely attended recent imperial banquets, with rumors his health had deteriorated severely.'
More precisely, rumors about his mental state.
His darkening expression, decreasing words, and indifference to all matters weren't exactly secret.
That was why many had clamored for him to decide on an heir before his condition worsened.
Yet the man now overlooking them from the dais showed no trace of the rumors.
His robust physique remained, and he looked far brighter and healthier than before.
With his still striking features to boot.
Those who had sneered that his portrait was overly idealized fell silent.
In pristine white ceremonial robes, the emperor exuded even greater dignity than usual.
As everyone bowed or slightly bent their knees in courtesy, Clois raised his hand, commanding them to rise.
With many seeing the emperor for the first time, the hall filled with excited murmurs.
Clois smiled at them.
'I need to end this quickly.'
He wasn't one for long greetings even normally.
But today, he had extra reason to shorten it.
Pretending to survey the room, he looked at Evi standing to one side.
The child in a well-fitting yellow dress gazing at him brimmed with anticipation.
He could tell just from her face.
That Evi had decided to accept his proposal.
For the past few days, Clois had barely slept.
Not from the anguish-induced insomnia of before.
Like a child awaiting their first banquet, excitement and anticipation left him restless.
'After the greetings.'
He would call Evi to his side immediately.
Then this lovely child would take his hand and call him dad.
Just imagining it choked him up.
Clois could wait no longer.
"I sincerely congratulate the Genius Academy's reopening this year and holding this Autumn Seasonal Festival safely. I hope all who gathered here today enjoy it to the fullest."
That was the end of the address.
In the following silence, people tilted their heads.
Was that really it...?
Clois turned promptly to the head attendant.
'Your Majesty?'
Realizing he truly intended to end the greetings there, the head attendant frantically signaled the orchestra conductor.
The music changed at once. The emperor's greetings were indeed over.
Clois smiled at Evi.
He hoped the child would run to him soon and call him dad.
As he thought that and moved to open his arms toward Evi—
"Dad!"
An unfamiliar child's voice echoed through the banquet hall.
From amid the crowd, a blond girl with green eyes darted out and ran straight to Clois.
Grabbing his arm at once, she shouted again.
"Dad! I missed you!"
Not Evi, but a strange child was calling him dad.
