Translator: Nox

Ch#148

Until morning, Eve's mood had been soaring to the skies.

Partly because Izriella had endlessly praised her for finally returning to the Genius Academy, and partly because, unlike the plain clothes she'd worn for outings so far, she was dressed in a Madam Crevel's outfit.

But above all, it was because the Imperial Knight Order in ceremonial robes had escorted her to the Genius Academy.

A large, glamorous carriage. Dozens of knights guarding the surroundings.

Pretty clothes.

And Izriella fawning over her, followed by the maids.

She hadn't realized it while confined to the Main Palace, but stepping out like this made her truly feel like the empire's princess.

'It would've been nice if Dad came too.'

Then the people bowing their waists now would be even more deferential.

Anyway, arriving at the Genius Academy in such high spirits had been fine... until...

"Lady Eve, regarding this place, it is the most important building in the Genius Academy, constructed about 350 years ago in the style of that era..."

"You said the previous building was the most important too?"

Eve glared resentfully at Dean Seraphina with weary eyes.

But Seraphina was shameless.

"Under His Majesty's glory, where in this newly reopened place could be unimportant? All these places are cherished by His Majesty himself. As the wise Lady Eve, you must understand his intentions. That's why my explanations have grown a bit lengthy."

"......"

You're smart, so understand me? The emperor says it's important, so underline it thickly and memorize it.

......Eve could only bite her lip at Seraphina's implication, saying nothing.

'Izriella said not to throw tantrums with this person.'

She looked like just a coldly beautiful young woman, but she was said to be the empire's strongest magician.

So she had to stay on her good side.

Besides, this was the person who had verified her imperial status.

What if she said, 'Oh, looks like my magic was wrong. I don't like you, so you're not imperial anymore!'......?

"And Lady Eve, now regarding that place, it is the Genius Academy's most important main building..."

Eve could no longer hear Seraphina's words.

The glamorous hat she'd deliberately worn felt cumbersome, and her new shoes were somehow uncomfortable to walk in.

And moreover...

"Once the building explanations end, all the chief professors will each explain the academy's classes. I hope Lady Eve shows great interest."

At those words, Eve had only one thought left.

'I want to go back to the Main Palace!'

Forget Evi or whatever—she wanted to return quickly, nap on the fluffy bed.

Just then, someone caught Eve's eye.

"Uh, uh!"

A boy entering the slightly distant main building without even glancing at the commotion on Eve's side, as if annoyed.

'It's that guy from before!'

The boy she'd met at Madam Crevel's Shop and unwittingly babbled everything to.

It was definitely him!

"Lady Eve!"

Ignoring the surprised calls, Eve ran toward the main building.

But after just a few steps, Hilde blocked her path abruptly.

"Where are you going, Lady Eve?"

Hilde asked, startled by the sudden action, but Eve glared irritably, shoved her hand aside, and headed for the main building again.

Hilde swallowed a sigh and followed behind Eve.

'Same age, seven......'

She unwittingly thought of Evi.

The child who had beamed and bowed her head upon seeing her.

When Hilde had slyly taken her hand, she gripped it tightly as if reassured.

Asking questions here and there while worrying if she was being rude—Hilde had wondered if she was really seven, and upon escorting her to the dormitory, she had bowed deeply in sincere gratitude.

Compared to such Evi, Eve before her was the one she ought to serve and protect, yet why did looking at her only bring sighs?

One might call it childlike cuteness, but strangely, Hilde kept comparing Evi and Eve.

'Must be because His Majesty cherishes her.'

Thinking of the emperor nearly drew another sigh.

At the villa, he had looked so at ease with Evi.

The knights had held their breaths desperately to avoid waking the emperor asleep in the hammock and Evi sleeping naturally in his arms.

She had thought he might adopt Evi......

'Gone down the drain.'

Not impossible, but no good words came to mind.

Besides, even if the emperor did adopt Evi, it didn't seem good for her.

'Fortunate for Evi's future, though.'

In the meantime, Eve had slipped into the main building and begun opening doors at random.

Students and professors preparing classes, startled by the sudden Eve, bowed their waists.

The staff, too, looked flustered at what to do with Eve poking everywhere.

Finally, Eve found what she wanted.

"Found you!"

The moment she opened the door, seeing Arsel, Eve shouted loudly with a smile.

But her expression soon twisted.

"You're here too?"

Not just Arsel in the room—Evi was there as well.

Eve scanned the room.

A small but cozy classroom.

And not just the boy she'd sought, but another handsome boy looking surprised, and beside him, a girl so pretty she might be a doll.

"Lady Eve."

Then Arsel spoke to her.

"This is not a suitable place for Lady Eve, so how about stepping out for now?"

At Arsel's polite greeting, Ruska's heart sank.

To casual ears, it sounded like a noble visiting a humble place.

But Ruska knew Arsel's temperament better than anyone.

'You madman! Saying it's not your place so get out—what are you doing!'

"Huh? You knew my name?"

Fortunately, Eve didn't catch on.

"Yes."

Arsel's answer was curt, as if he truly hated responding, smiling thinly.

"So what's your name! You didn't tell me back then?"

"......Arsel Kailun."

Ruska inwardly clicked his tongue at Arsel's response.

That damn vibe is showing.

"Kailun?"

Eve remembered the name.

The duke's family guarding the emperor, it was said.

'The count and Izriella hated them.'

Explaining families, the two had spoken ill of Duke Kailun.

So Eve should avoid them, and when she became emperor, oust them.

But the moment she saw Arsel, Eve tossed those requests to the back of her mind.

'Even if they did bad things, I can forgive them, right?'

Satisfied at knowing the boy's name, Eve said to Ruska and Irene beside her.

"Who are you two?"

Anyway, imperial was imperial.

The two stepped forward and bowed politely.

"Ruska Ragselb."

"Irene...... Terins."

A teeth-grinding crunch sounded in Irene's silence, but fortunately, Eve didn't notice.

Thus, only Ruska sweated coldly between Arsel and Irene.

'Two madmen!'

Why was only he so chilled?

As Evi awkwardly wondered if she should greet too, Eve shoved Evi with her hand.

"You're done."

Done with what?

As Irene's glare sharpened, Ruska shook his head desperately.

Hey, hey. No. Hold it.

Eve sat at Evi's desk before she could speak.

"I'll study here with you all today."

Hilde, Seraphina, and Izriella's faces twisted at her words.

Not just them. Arsel and Irene, and even Ruska hardened.

Amid them, Evi fidgeted, unsure what to do with Eve at her seat.

"But that's Evi's seat."

Unable to endure more, Arsel spoke up.

"Yeah, but from today, it'll be mine."

Eve acted like whatever.

Then she knocked off the pencil case on the desk.

"You, clean this up."

"......"

As eyes narrowed at Eve's rudeness upon sudden appearance.

"Who's this?"

Professor Males, the classroom's owner, appeared.

"Ah, Master. This is Lady Eve, whom Count Aradman recently brought..."

"That's none of my business."

Professor Males pulled Evi protectively before him.

Then, waving his hand at Eve like shooing a fly, he said indifferently.

"We have class, so get out."

Ruska clutched his forehead. Three madmen.