CICN 59

Chapter 59

If only he had written down when he’d return, she could come back exactly at that time.

Either way, one thing was certain—Evi would be visiting here again.

And with that thought, flaws in the professor’s office, which had seemed perfectly fine just moments ago, began to stand out.

‘The chair’s too tall and too hard.’

Like this, there wouldn’t be anywhere comfortable for a child to sit.

‘The curtains are so dull, too.’

No matter how well the sunlight poured in, wouldn’t dark curtains like these make it feel scary when one came inside?

‘The books aren’t very good, either.’

The shelves were crammed with nothing but academic texts full of words.

At the very least, there could be some illustrated books in foreign languages.

Clois picked up his pen and began jotting down the things he thought this room needed—things that would bring joy to the one who would return here.

The Terence family’s townhouse in the capital was the kind of place that inevitably drew the eyes of passersby.

Outside of the Imperial Palace, it was the largest residence in the capital, a place of both elegance and splendor.

And today, carriages by the dozens were pulling up in front of it.

From the second-floor balcony, Irene watched the steady stream of arrivals with a bored expression.

“It’s the seasonal holiday—shouldn’t people be out enjoying themselves? Why are they coming here?”

While she was grumbling at the unexpectedly large crowd, the door to her room opened and her older sister, Ines, stepped inside.

“Irene. You really aren’t going to come down?”

Without turning around, Irene rested her chin on her hand and replied curtly.

“I didn’t think you’d be here, Sister.”

“It’s your first outing since entering the Gifted Academy—how could I not come? Thanks to that, I’ve heard plenty about your life there.”

At the mention of life at the academy, Irene’s shoulders gave a small twitch.

“I hear you’re living just as you please there, too.”

Irene stuck out her lower lip even further at Ines’s remark.

“I felt it last year too, but the capital nobles are so fake, shady, and annoying. The kids from the south are better.”

Ines let out a sigh and shook her head.

“I’ve told you since you were little that you’ll have to live facing that kind of pretense your whole life. So? Are you thinking of quitting the academy? If so, I won’t stop you. I’ll persuade Father.”

She said this while giving her sister’s shoulder a light pat.

“When you were born, the island’s priestess said you’d live happily and contentedly at the side of the greatest power, no matter what you did.”

Compared to the central region where the capital lay, the south was far more influenced by folk beliefs—and the Terence family was no exception.

When the Count announced he would remarry and bring young Ines a stepmother, the news wasn’t welcomed.

The woman was nearly a commoner, and not even from the south.

That alone was an issue, but people also worried that the birth of a new child might cause strife over the heir.

But when Irene was born, the island’s priestess happened to be visiting the Terence family and said this upon seeing her:

“This child is full of ambition. She will stand in the closest place to the greatest power. She will face danger along the way, but will live happily all her life on the strength of the trust she earns then.”

It was the greatest of blessings. Even those in the family who had harbored resentment toward Irene began to dote on her.

Most people assumed “the greatest power” meant the future emperor.

That was why Irene’s name was so often brought up as a possible crown princess.

Hearing her sister recall that old story, Irene sighed.

“So you like me because of what the priestess said?”

“No. I like you because you’re my small, cute little sister.”

At that affectionate reply, Irene turned and wrapped herself in her sister’s arms.

“I know you came because you were worried about me.”

Her sister had already begun taking on their father’s duties.

Someone that busy wouldn’t come here simply because she had free time.

“It’s because you think I’m cute, pretty, and lovable.”

“Hearing you say something that shameless just proves you really are my sister.”

Ines smiled, satisfied.

“Sister, about my roommate…”

“I know. You mean Evi Elden, right? I was wondering about her—her name came up seventeen times in your last letter.”

“About Evi… can she come home with me for the holiday?”

“Do as you like.”

Ines looked at Irene as though this was quite the surprise.

Though Irene did well in her studies, she was notoriously prickly toward those around her.

Despite having many acquaintances, she’d never called anyone a friend.

And yet here was someone she clearly cherished.

A child from the orphanage, and a commoner, Ines recalled.

Someone with no connection whatsoever to power, as the priestess had foretold.

But what did that matter?

“She’s your first friend—of course you should invite her.”

Thud!

With a dull kick, Ruska went rolling forward across the ground.

“Hey, Ruska! Can’t you focus?!”

From behind his sprawled younger brother, the second-born of the family stared as though this was quite the sight.

“Why’s your head in the clouds? Missing Arcel?”

“Are you crazy? Why would I miss him?!”

“Then what’s with you?”

“I just keep worrying about Evi…”

“Evi? Who’s that?”

The moment his brother asked, Ruska realized he’d made a mistake and clamped his mouth shut.

Of course, his brother wasn’t the type to drop it.

“That’s a girl’s name, isn’t it? Who is she? Who?”

“It’s not what you think. Evi Elden—she’s a seven-year-old kid.”

“Oh? Go on.”

“Go on about what? She’s from an orphanage, and I said something careless before I left. Asked if she’d go out during the holiday… but she’s little, and it’s her first time in the capital, so she probably can’t.”

“Hm… then just go back to the academy early.”

“Huh?”

“You said you’re worried about her being left alone, right? Then head back early and take her out during the holiday.”

Ruska’s eyes lit up.

“I can do that?”

“Sure. No point sparring with a brother who’s not paying attention anyway.”

At that, Ruska grabbed his practice sword and bolted toward the estate.

Watching him go, his brother muttered,

“I think that’s the first time he’s moved like that for someone other than Arcel…”

Evi walked down the darkening street.

After visiting Professor Sian’s office yesterday, she had spent the entire day wondering—

‘Would it be okay to go again today?’

Given he hadn’t been there yesterday, she doubted he’d be there today either.

So she had stayed in her room all morning, reading or studying. But by afternoon, the urge to go back there had kept creeping in.

‘I really don’t like it this quiet.’

Even the children who hadn’t gone out yesterday eventually gave in to the silence and went outside.

Evi was no different. Maybe it was because she’d read about the seasonal holiday festival before bed last night, but today she had an even stronger desire to go out and see it.

Unable to focus on anything all day, she finally decided to head to the dining hall early for dinner.

There, too, there were hardly any staff. Only pre-packed sandwiches remained.

And almost no one was even taking them—there was practically no one left inside the academy.

Taking one sandwich, Evi sighed as she looked back at the dormitory.

‘I just wish I could at least look around.’

She didn’t have money, so she wasn’t thinking about buying anything.

She just wanted to go out and see.

Before she knew it, she was walking away from the dorms, wondering if she might find a spot where she could at least see beyond the palace walls.

And then, as she passed the building with Professor Sian’s office—

“Oh!”

Her eyes widened at the sight of a lit room.

‘That’s Professor Sian’s office!’

After checking several times to make sure the light was indeed in Room 408, Evi dashed into the building.

“Professor!”

Forgetting to knock, she threw the door open.

“Evi?”

Professor Sian was really there.

Aside from the graveyard in the forest, this was the first time she’d seen him inside the academy.

Confirming that he was truly here and not some illusion, Evi ran up and clung to him in joy.

“It’s really you, Professor!”

Clois couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.

“Is there a fake professor too?”

Then he flinched at his own words—come to think of it, he was a fake professor himself.

Evi clung to his clothes for a while before finally letting go. She pulled the sandwich from her bag and placed it on the table.

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Here, you can have this.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll just grab another on my way back. I was planning to stop by again anyway since I’m bored.”

“Bored?”

Evi’s voice lost some of its energy as she answered.

“Everyone went out. They won’t be back until tomorrow morning.”

“You… ah, you need a guardian to go out, don’t you?”

At the academy, children under ten could only leave if accompanied by a guardian.

At that, Evi’s shoulders slumped.

“Yeah… and the Headmaster’s far away…”

Without thinking, Clois blurted out—

“How about going out with me?”