17
Since this morning, Cloyce has been feeling particularly strange. This situation was not bad, on the contrary, it was filled with a kind of vague expectation that made his heart beat excitedly.
It had been so long since he had woken up in the morning in such a state that at first he could not understand exactly what was wrong with him.
Then, suddenly, he remembered. A long, long time ago, when your loved one was still alive, they greeted every day with that same feeling.
“But why do I feel this way all of a sudden?”
This day was nothing special. It does not mark any anniversary, nor is it the day of anyone's death, nor is it even a day full of important dates.
It was a very ordinary day, nothing interesting. So why had he been feeling this emotional since the morning?
He even came to suspect that he might have taken the wrong medication. But, as always, he had not touched the medications prescribed by the doctor, so he completely ruled out this possibility.
When Cloyce found no explanation in his day's schedule, he began to have flashbacks to the previous day.
Lately, nothing has happened except for his feeling of depression getting worse.
But… “Ah!” He suddenly remembered. The little girl who suddenly appeared at the graves of Lillian and Evbian. But he handled it brilliantly, using a fake identity, and sent her away.
There's no need to meet again, so there's no need to think about it any more. So, this couldn't be the reason behind his strange feeling...
Clowes went out to his office, still in that unfamiliar floating state.
On his way, the senior officials he met greeted him more warmly than usual, and bowed deeply to him.
They talked about the beauty of the weather, and asked him about his mood in a friendly tone.
Cloyce did not understand the reason for this mass excitement.
Those who usually avoided even looking into his eyes, how could they suddenly speak to him so boldly? However, they were all watching his reactions carefully.
Moments later, Cloyce realized the reason for their actions.
Suddenly, everyone in the conference room rushed towards the windows and started talking excitedly: “Here are the talented kids of the academy coming!”
At that moment, Cloyce understood why they were trying to find out his mood and talking more than usual.
“So, today is the day the academy kids visit the Imperial Palace.”
Since he ordered Evie Alden to be accepted into the academy, Cloyce has never spoken about the academy.
Recently, suggestions about choosing a successor have been coming in constantly. So, officials were eager to know even a word about his intentions.
Since the children, who were considered potential candidates, were visiting the palace today, they saw this as a good opportunity.
Their ideas were somewhat logical. If Cloyce wanted to voice his opinion on the succession, today would be the perfect opportunity. But…
“I feel unwell today. They held the meeting without me, and I will look at the minutes later.”
In an instant, the officials' faces full of expectation turned into clear disappointment.
Cloyce had no intention of scolding them. Of course, there were those among them who secretly hoped that one of their children, grandchildren or relatives would catch his attention.
But, at the same time, he knew that most of them were now really worried about the “succession” issue.
They wished for anyone, whoever, to choose to ensure the empire's complete stability.
However, Cloyce remained hesitant. He knew the answer. As everyone expected, he had to choose between Arcel and Ruska, the two children who were considered the most prominent candidates.
It is true that human hearts are unpredictable, but Clois knew the parents of the two children, Duke Caillern and Marquis Lagueslab, well.
He lived with them moments in which friendship exceeded the limits of life and death. Therefore, he knew their nature.
They both did not want their sons to become caliphs. Indeed, if one of them was chosen, they would give up all their positions in the palace and immediately withdraw to distant fiefdoms to live in isolation.
“And the children themselves are not flawless.”
Both children come from a lineage that carries the blood of the imperial family.
So, when rumors about their nomination started, no one disputed their eligibility.
But the real reason Cloyce thought of them was not this condition.
“Lillian cared so much about them.”
In Lillian's fiefdom, there were many children besides Arcel and Rusca, because those close to Cloïs had brought their families during his long stay there.
But Lillian took special care of these two children, as if they were her own.
Cloïse trusted his eyes, but he also trusted Lillian's eyes. If she liked them, they must be special.
“However, Your Majesty, the young students visit the palace with great enthusiasm. If possible, why don’t you greet them even for a moment?”
Cloyce began to feel annoyed by the insistence of the officials.
But, at that moment, he suddenly noticed.
“That little girl thinks I'm a professor!”
He introduced himself to her as Professor because he couldn't reveal that he was the Emperor.
How would she react if she saw him here suddenly? If she knew who Cloïs was, he would never speak to her with the same ease as he did in front of Lillian's grave.
Cloyce paused at this thought, then quickly got up from his seat. From the actions of the officials, it appeared that they would try to approach and greet the children as soon as they entered.
So, he decided to leave the place before that.
“That's enough. I'll be in my office. If there's something urgent, send someone to me.”
Then he quickly left the place.
In his office, Cloyce opened the accumulated papers as usual.
Today's meeting didn't include any critical issues, so perhaps it was better for him to have extra time to work on his own.
“I have to finish this quickly.”
There were always many papers waiting for his signature, so he had to review, sign, and return them quickly.
But, contrary to his expectations, his hand did not move.
On a normal day, he might have finished reading several pages, but his eyes remained stuck on the first line of the document.
the reason? Children's voices coming from outside.
“Did they get that close?”
The sounds of admiration, the calls of friends, the constant chatter.
The voices of young boys and girls, rarely heard in the main palace, made him unable to concentrate.
“Evie must be with them.”
At that moment, Cloyce put the papers aside and got up from his seat.
Fortunately, curtains were covering the windows. If he glanced among them, he could see them without being detected.
Indeed, the students saw through a small opening.
“I heard that many children have already withdrawn.”
But he noticed that more people than he expected were still there. Maybe more of them will leave later for various reasons.
Then, he found it. Evie, moving with difficulty among the larger students, unable to find her place.
She was crowding with others, but her eyes never left the palace.
And Cloyce, in turn, could not take his eyes off her.
“Is it that amazing?”
That wasn't surprising. For a child coming from a rural orphanage, the palace must seem like another world.
It is true that the academy buildings are wonderful since they belong to the palace, but they do not compare to the main palace.
As she looked at him with a surprised look, Cloyce felt like laughing. If there were no other students...
“I would have gone down to her, pretending to be a professor, and explained everything to her.”
But he was surprised himself.
How could he think about getting close to her when he decided not to meet her again?
What drives him to this contradiction?
At that moment, he saw Evie, who was looking at the palace, suddenly bow down.
For a moment, he thought she was greeting him personally, so he backed away in horror.
"how…?"
Did she see him? Cloyce tried to calm his heart, which began to beat violently.
He breathed slowly, then carefully approached the window again and peered through the curtains.
The academy students were beginning to move away with their escorts. At the back of the group, there was a little girl following them with hasty steps. Fortunately, she didn't seem to recognize him.
“So why did you do that?”
Why did she greet the palace? Cloyce remained standing at the window, watching her back as she walked away, until she was out of sight.
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