CICN 88

Chapter 88

“Your house, Ruska?”

“Yeah! I mentioned it to my brothers before, and since you were curious, they said you should come visit!”

Ruska’s voice grew louder when Evy showed interest.

“The Ragselb estate isn’t far from the capital. We have a townhouse, but I usually go back to the estate. It’s huge—with ranches and lots of farmland. The ranch has the finest horses in the empire. My father and brothers love riding.”

“Horses?”

“You don’t like them? Or… are you scared?”

“No, I like them!”

When she used to live in the inn’s stable, she would sneak into the adjacent stall during cold winters.

It wasn’t exactly a pleasant environment, filled with the smell of hay and manure.

Still, if she nestled against the gentler horses, she could forget the cold for a while.

It had been years since she’d gotten close to a horse. Maybe at Ruska’s house she could touch them again.

“Then, do you want to stay at my place all summer vacation? We’ve got plenty of rooms, you could be comfortable as long as you like!”

“Hmm, but…”

“Why? Are you going back to your hometown?”

“No. I don’t think I’ll go this time.”

At first, she considered going. But there was too much she needed to study to prepare for the second term.

And there were places she wanted to see—the newly opened library, the imperial museum.

The Academy even said they’d take the students staying over break on tours around the capital.

That meant she’d get to explore the city safely and comfortably.

Of course, she did miss the orphanage.

She longed to see the friends she used to share a room with, and the headmaster and teachers too.

But the biggest reason she wasn’t going back was, of course, money.

The carriage fare is expensive, she thought.

And if she left, the headmaster would have to come with her as guardian.

But the orphanage is always busy in summer.

There was plenty to plant to prepare for winter, and with the heat, there was endless laundry to do.

Everyone worked until sundown every day. There was no way they had the time or money to spare for her.

Knowing that, she couldn’t bring herself to ask them to fetch her.

So Evy had already written in her letter that she’d be staying in the capital this vacation.

I still haven’t mentioned the Emperor, though…

If she wrote that down, the headmaster would surely come running.

As Evy thought about the orphanage, Irene suddenly hugged her tightly and glared at Ruska.

“What are you saying! Evy promised to come to my house first, remember? On our last outing, I said we’d go together next time. You remember, don’t you, Evy?”

Come to think of it, Irene had said that. She’d felt guilty for going out alone and promised they’d go together next time.

When Evy made a face that showed she remembered, Irene smirked triumphantly at Ruska and waved her hand dismissively.

“So you’ll just have to wait your turn. I’m taking Evy shopping, then we’re going swimming at the river near the capital. And at night we’ll have barbecue parties in the garden of the Terrins family townhouse.”

“Wow, barbecue! Sounds delicious. I want to come too!”

“Go ahead… No! Don’t come!”

“Why not? Invite me too!”

“Why should I!”

When Ruska eagerly said he’d go, Irene furiously waved him off, looking like she wanted him gone.

As the two squabbled, Arcel caught Evy’s eyes and—rarely—smiled, his gaze sharp and dazzling.

Arcel’s smile, so brilliant, carried a destructive force.

Evy thought it was almost blinding and couldn’t look straight at him. Then, in a gentle voice, Arcel said:

“By the way, Evy, you wanted to read the next volume of that travelogue, right? Our library has the entire series. And coincidentally, foreign books are scheduled to arrive over the break. If you came to my house, you could read them just as they arrive…”

“Oh, then I…”

Before Evy could blurt out I want to go! Irene quickly grabbed her and shouted at Arcel:

“Hey! That’s cheating! You can’t cut in like that!”

“Ugh, so unfair, Arcel. Using your looks like that.”

Ruska chimed in, attacking Arcel as well. Arcel clicked his tongue and backed down, but his smile at Evy didn’t fade.

Evy’s heart raced.

No matter where she went, it would be fun. And summer vacation was long.

“Then… I’ll go to all of your houses!”

At her answer, the three fell silent, then nodded. And then, in unison, they said:

“But our house will be the most fun!”

The argument about whose house Evy should visit first ended when her stomach growled.

“We’ve been talking about playing and forgot to eat.”

The four of them quickly tidied up the table and rushed to the food counter.

As always, they piled their plates with every kind of dish and ate happily.

After the meal, since each of them had different classes, they went their separate ways.

Left with time alone, Evy wondered if she should return to her room.

Because, without the three at her side, she could already see people creeping toward her.

It had been the same every day since it became known that Professor Sian was the Emperor.

Evy deliberately turned her head away and walked quickly.

She now knew well that once someone cornered her, it was hard to escape without a long conversation.

Hurrying toward the library, she passed several staff members.

They all greeted her with bright smiles.

Since the Izriela incident, there was no one in the Academy who didn’t know her.

Not just staff, but professors too.

Even those who used to frown at her in class and then ignore her completely now smiled.

The sudden shift in their expressions felt strange. Even frightening.

Before, people openly showed their true feelings in front of her.

They easily dropped manners and courtesy, revealing their contempt and disgust without hesitation.

Evy hadn’t disliked that.

At least then, she knew who they were and could be cautious. It felt safer.

But now, with the Emperor standing behind her, everyone wore thick masks.

She could hardly tell who liked or hated her.

Still, she had her own way of figuring it out.

“Well, if it isn’t Evy Elden.”

As she neared the library, the history professor called out to her.

She bowed politely, and he patted her head approvingly.

Then he said to the person beside him:

“You’ve probably heard. Recently His Majesty the Emperor declared himself guardian of a student here. This is the very child. She attends my class.”

“Ah, so this is the one…”

And with that, the professor went on talking about the Emperor in connection with her.

Eventually, Evy spoke up:

“Professor, I think I need to go now. I have something to look for.”

The professor looked disappointed, as if he were losing a decorative accessory.

“Very well, go on.”

But he didn’t dare hold her back.

If the child later mentioned to the Emperor that he had done so, it could be dangerous.

So, smiling all the way, the professor let her go, and Evy quickly slipped into the library.

Even there, people still approached her. So she needed to find a quiet corner.

As she hurried through the lobby, she spotted a familiar face.

“Professor Malles!”

“Evy.”

Professor Malles, who had been looking between the ceiling and a blueprint, stood with someone who seemed to be an outsider—much like the history professor earlier.

When Evy came closer, Malles introduced her:

“This is the child I told you about. The one who finally lets me teach real mathematics.”

Then he bent down, peering at her cheek.

“My, my. The swelling’s all gone now. You’re really not hurting anymore, are you? You looked so tired during exams, I was worried it wasn’t healing properly.”

At his worried voice, Evy smiled sheepishly.

This was what made the difference.

The people who truly cared for her always spoke first of her—of her health and well-being—before mentioning the Emperor.