CICN 83

Chapter 83

The foreign language tutoring, agreed upon by both of them, proceeded in a far more serious atmosphere than expected.

This was because Evi had genuinely started worrying about the exam.

“I hope my grades turn out well.”

She overheard the other students whispering among themselves.

“Even though it’s a provincial advanced school, they’d recognize the grades as if it’s really prestigious. They must think I’m exceptional.”
“Some professors call you smart, but won’t this exam reveal the truth?”
“From what I see, she’ll probably just get average scores. Even outside the gifted school, that would have been enough to earn the title of genius.”

After all, no one would be expelled just for low grades, so there was no risk of being kicked out.

However, Evi hated the idea of being in a different class from everyone else.

“First of all, Arsel will definitely get first place.”

Irene felt the same way. She admitted she had little chance of remaining in the top-class group of 35 students.

Yet, seeing her study fiercely from morning till night, reading books with unyielding focus, there was no doubt she would succeed.

Ruschka had also recently been studying frantically, not wanting to fall behind alone.

But if her own scores ended up lower than expected, revealing her “true ability” while everyone else’s expectations loomed…

Evi imagined Professor Malese’s reaction, yelling that she would surely score poorly, and threw herself wholeheartedly into her studies.

Even though her body wasn’t fully healthy, she was in an unfamiliar place, and Clois, who found her difficult at first, also became serious when Evi suddenly showed such academic zeal.

“You have to pay close attention to verb conjugations in Lesidhe.”

Several hours later, a voice called from outside—one of the royal ministers looking for Clois.

Clois intended to tell him to leave, but noticed it was completely dark outside.

Checking the clock, he realized the gifted school’s curfew was approaching.

“I want to escort her myself…”

But the situation was urgent, and a direct trip would be too sudden.

Moreover, the gifted school had already been thrown into chaos once during the day. Visiting again might not be good for the students there.

Still, he couldn’t let Evi return alone.

So Clois told the steward:

“Summon Rommel and his three knights.”

“Sir Rommel?”

The steward, who rarely showed surprise, sounded startled.

He quickly regained his composure and conveyed Clois’ order.

Soon enough, Rommel arrived with the other knights. Clois addressed them seriously:

“Escort Evi to the gifted school. Ensure she reaches the dorm safely.”

Rommel and the other knights looked bewildered.

They were the Imperial Knights, loyal only to the royal family.

And now, they were being ordered to guard someone named Evi—a person they had never heard of.

“Your Highness, following your orders is natural, but who is this Evi?”

These were people who would die at a command, yet now they were to escort a stranger, even though they were elite knights, including their captain.

Who exactly was Evi?

Even if an envoy from a neighboring kingdom arrived, they wouldn’t provide an escort.

Rommel at least seemed a bit calmer. But Hilde, standing behind, bowed to Clois, speaking with indignation:

“Your Highness! We exist only for you! Please reconsider this order.”

Other knights bowed as well, thinking Clois’ command excessive.

The main palace and the gifted school were within walking distance, even within the royal grounds. Yet they were ordered to escort someone that short distance—especially someone who wasn’t Clois himself!

Just as Hilde was about to plead again, Evi entered, her hair and outfit freshly attended to by palace maids.

The new uniform she received at the gifted school had no traces of blood or wrinkles.

Clois smiled and welcomed her:

“Evi, these people will escort you to the gifted school.”

He glanced at Hilde and added:

“Ah, but not everyone.”

No need to force those unwilling to go. If Hilde and the others refused, just attach the loyal Rommel and send them.

“Excellent idea! Perfect if only the captain goes!”

Then, Hilde, who had just begged to cancel the order, quickly approached Evi with a smile, bowing slightly:

“Hello, little princess. Your name is Evi, right? I’m Hilde. I wear this eyepatch because of my old eye injury, so don’t be scared.”

Everyone, including Clois, froze.

Hilde had always used coarse language or rough tones over the years.

And now she spoke in this cute, gentle voice? Could she really sound like this?

“Hello, I’m Evi Alden.”

Evi smiled brightly. Hilde’s lips curled up.

“Aww, how cute. I’ll escort you to the gifted school, so don’t worry. It’s nighttime, so if you’re scared, we can hold hands.”

“Yes!”

Evi answered happily, and Rommel hurriedly stepped forward.

“This uncle is Rommel!”

“This uncle is Sigmund!”

“I’m Aiden!”

Those who had claimed to exist solely for Clois now surrounded Evi, ignoring him.

Evi poked at her slightly bulging stomach, cramped in her school uniform skirt.

During the studies, the steward had come in with a snack cart.

When the lid was lifted, neatly arranged colorful pastries were revealed.

Clois, having prepared well, began feeding them to Evi.

Her body had already been aching slightly, but the fragrant tea and sweet pastries lifted her spirits.

The only problem was that she ate far too much.

“Haa…”

Realizing her mistake, Evi sighed, when a voice came from behind:

“Do you want me to carry you?”

“No! I can walk, Rommel!”

Despite her protest, Rommel seemed unwilling to give up his offer.

Other knights glared at him:

“Carrying a lady is inappropriate, Captain.”
“Indeed. Perhaps preparing a carriage would be better.”
“Walking from the palace to the gifted school was never reasonable.”
“If His Majesty finds out Evi walked, he might scold us.”

Evi’s face turned pale at the mention of being scolded.

Hilde, walking beside her, whispered with a chuckle:

“Just kidding. They always joke like that.”

Rommel shouted:

“Hilde, how dare you joke with a superior!”

Hilde didn’t flinch, replying calmly:

“Captain, speaking so loudly will startle Evi. Didn’t you hear the palace rules? You must maintain absolute calm.”

“True, but…”

Rommel grumbled, unable to raise his voice further.

Evi still wasn’t used to the conversations of those surrounding her.

“These are the Imperial Knights.”

Since arriving at the gifted school, she had learned of their existence.

The Imperial Knights, composed of the strongest in the empire, loyal only to the royal family.

Ruschka had explained them in detail.

“When I graduate from the gifted school, I don’t want to join the Academy—I want to join the Imperial Knights.”

One day, during a meal, they talked about future plans.

Arsel said he’d probably enter the Academy; Irene would stay in the capital to help the Terrence family business.

Evi expressed her desire to remain at the palace, then asked Ruschka:

“So, you’ll go to the Academy with Arsel?”

Ruschka jumped and shook her head:

“Don’t decide my future! I’ve wanted to join the Imperial Knights since I was young!”

She went on to describe the Imperial Knights at length. Evi thus learned of their existence and composition.

“The knights are elite among the elite, but the most famous are Captain Rommel and Sir Hilde, who even lost an eye protecting His Majesty during the Succession War’s final battle.”

Ruschka continued to talk at length about the two.

In short, the Imperial Knights were the strongest in the empire, composed of individuals surpassing human limits, ruthless in defeating enemies.

Yet…

“You don’t want Captain to carry you, right? Then how about I carry you?”

The reality of the Imperial Knights seemed very different from what Evi had imagined.