Translator: Nox

Ch#150

"Ruska."

Irene called Ruska in an extremely serious tone.

But Ruska didn't respond. He already knew what she was going to say.

"What if she's imperial......"

"Don't ask how severe the punishment is for causing physical or mental harm to imperial family members. Just hold back."

"Tch."

At Ruska's words, Irene scrunched up her pretty face mercilessly and glared at one spot.

Far away, Eve was approaching again today.

It had already been three days in a row that Eve was visiting the Genius Academy.

On the first day, they'd thought she wouldn't come back after being mocked and laughed at, and they were delighted.

For a few days, there was truly no contact from the Main Palace.

Seraphina, who had been worried if Professor Males might get disciplined, and the four children finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The person in question, Professor Males, had been defiant, saying, "If I get fired, I get to enjoy retirement sooner—great for me!"

Then Evi had teared up, saying she wouldn't have anyone to learn math from without her professor.

Because of that, Professor Males had promised never to talk nonsense about retirement again.

Anyway, they'd thought peace had returned...

"Hello! We meet again!"

After a few days, as if something had happened, Eve came back grinning under the pretext of a visit, stirring up the Genius Academy once more.

The problem was that instead of going to places she hadn't seen yet or meeting other professors and students, she was strangely sticking by Evi's side.

Even leaving Izriella behind and insisting on going around with Evi—it could be that she wanted to be friends.

'No, that girl... she still hates Evi.'

But Irene was certain. Even while smiling and holding Evi's arm, Eve's eyes were sharp.

It wasn't like holding a friend's hand; it was more like holding a hostage.

'Why on earth is she suddenly acting like that?'

Why was she clinging to Evi and causing such a fuss?

Her attitude had changed so drastically it was as if she were following someone's orders.

'Anyway, it pisses me off!'

Because Eve was dragging Evi around all day, Irene's time with Evi had decreased, and her lips pouted out.

"Ugh, when is that kid finally getting recognized as princess? It'd be better if she got recognized quick, starts official duties, and stops coming to the Genius Academy."

"......"

Ruska, who would normally chime in agreement.

At Irene's words, Ruska just quietly stared at Evi and Eve in the distance without responding.

Instead, Ruska was lost in thought.

'Looks like the duke's retainers found something out.'

That's why Arsel had gone to meet his father, Duke Kailun, for a bit.

From how Arsel had rushed off the moment he read the letter, it seemed like he'd uncovered something major.

"Ugh, this won't do."

Then Irene suddenly jumped up from her seat.

"Where are you going?"

"Where? Watching that brat makes my stomach hurt, so I'm heading to the library instead. She hates the library a ton, so she won't come there."

Irene gathered her books and stood up.

The fact that she was leaving even with Evi there showed how much stress Eve was causing her.

After Irene left too, Ruska remained alone in the classroom, waiting for Arsel to return quickly while staring toward the path to the Imperial Palace.

Because of that, he missed Eve and Evi slipping out of his sight toward the small pond in the Genius Academy.

* * *

"Let's go over there!"

Eve pulled Evi along as they approached the pond.

Evi looked around anxiously.

Usually the Imperial Knight Order was with them, so why had only Eve come today without anyone else?

"Um, Lady Eve."

As Evi cautiously spoke up, Eve shot her a sullen glare and said,

"Don't call me Eve. Call me Princess."

"But......"

She'd been told she couldn't use that title yet.

"What are you doing? Hurry."

Urged by Eve, Evi had no choice but to comply.

"Yes, Princess......"

As Evi called her Princess, Eve smiled in satisfaction. Then, as if granting a great favor, she said,

"You can specially call me Lady Evebien."

"Yes......"

Evebien. The name on the tomb where she'd first met the emperor.

She had once felt sorry toward the owner of that name buried in the cold ground, but to think she was actually alive and standing before her.

'His Majesty must be so happy.'

She hadn't seen the emperor since Eve arrived, but Evi could imagine how joyful he was.

He had been crying alone in that empty place.

Now that his daughter had returned alive, he would surely cherish and love her dearly.

As Evi unwittingly grew glum and followed behind Eve with trudging steps, Eve spotted the small boat tied at the pond's edge and quickly climbed aboard.

"Let's ride this!"

"Pardon? Shouldn't we ask Professor or the staff first? Or request the knights......"

"Knights? I left them all behind because I wanted to hang out quietly with you alone. And now you want me to go call them back?"

Evi hadn't even asked, but Eve widened her eyes in anger, scolding her as if she were being terribly selfish.

Evi looked at the pond.

'It's not dangerous.'

The pond in the Genius Academy was made shallow enough to be safe even if children fell in, prepared for accidents.

When Ruska had playfully fallen in during summer, the water had only reached his waist.

Even for the shortest Evi, it would barely lap at her neck.

'Still, we shouldn't ride the boat without permission.'

A small island in the middle of the pond.

It was the boat staff used to feed the ducks living on that island.

She shouldn't just ride it on a whim, but today there was no one to stop Eve.

"Hurry up!"

Urged by Eve, Evi reluctantly climbed onto the small boat.

"What are you doing? Row quickly. Let's go to that little island. I think there are baby ducks there."

"M-Me?"

"Then should I do it?"

Evi had no choice but to grab the oar bigger than herself and strain at Eve's matter-of-fact retort.

Fortunately or unfortunately, the boat drifted toward the inner pond.

As Evi, who had never rowed before, struggled, Eve watched her and thought,

'Noma told me to get along with her.'

After sending a letter to Noma, a reply had come soon after.

Noma said she would handle it somehow, and until then, to put up with the annoyance and befriend Evi.

That's why she was reluctantly doing this now.

'And I need to get rid of all the knights.'

This morning, she'd thrown a fit and finally left the knights behind. It hadn't been easy, though.

She'd deliberately tripped on the stairs and blamed it on Hilde and the other knights.

Count Aradman had happened to be there and sharply protested to the Imperial Knight Order for negligence in duty.

Everyone had looked incredulous, but since Eve had gotten hurt, they couldn't argue.

In the end, the conflict escalated until the prime minister had to come mediate.

Eve had screamed and flailed even louder on purpose, and Count Aradman demanded that the count's retainers who had protected her until now be allowed inside to guard her.

Since it had happened this morning, arguments flew back and forth, and in the end, for today only, she could come to the Genius Academy with just Izriella and the other maids.

And now Izriella and the maids were cleaning the classroom where Eve would stay, on her orders.

Meanwhile, bored Eve had sneaked out and called Evi over.

Creeeak, creeeak.

Because only Evi was rowing laboriously, the boat spun in circles to one side.

Having spotted them in the boat, Izriella was visible in the distance, shouting something and running over.

'She's gonna make a racket again.'

Thinking of the scolding she'd get, irritation surged in Eve.

"Evi, row faster."

At Eve's words, Evi rowed with all her might.

But even so, the boat couldn't go far and just kept spinning in place.

In the meantime, Izriella drew even closer.

Not wanting to get caught, Eve finally couldn't hold back and jumped to her feet.

"Can't you even do this properly? I'll do it! Move aside...... Huh? Huh?"

Even for a child, suddenly standing shifted the center of gravity, making the boat rock.

If she'd just sat back down right away, it would've been fine, but Eve flailed about in panic.

Then, thinking she might fall, she grabbed Evi tightly.

Splash!

The boat capsized, and both fell into the pond together.

"Lady Eve!"

Izriella's startled scream rang out.

In an instant, the cold autumn pond water covered her face and poured into her mouth.

"Lady Eve! Hurry, grab my hand! Lady Eve!"

She knew it was shallow enough to stand, but startled, she didn't have time to think and instinctively flailed in the water.

On top of that, she got kicked by Eve thrashing about.

'Ah!'

In her panic, her body dipped under the water with bubbles for a moment.

"Evi!"

With the voice calling her name, someone splashed into the pond.

Then, moments later, Evi's body was lifted buoyantly above the pond surface.

"Evi! Are you okay?"

Coughing, Evi realized who the voice belonged to and looked in surprise at her rescuer.

There stood Clois with a deathly pale face.