83
The private foreign language lessons, which were concluded by mutual agreement, took place in a more serious atmosphere than expected.
It was because Evie started to feel really anxious about the exam.
“I wish my grades were high,” she thought to herself, listening to the whispers of the other students.
“Even a rural high school is considered a high school, so since it recognizes grades, I probably thought I was really special.”
“Some professors praise her intelligence, but won’t this exam prove whether that is true or not?”
“In my opinion, even if she does well, she will get an average score at most. Outside of the Genius Institute, this level might be considered enough for her to be called a genius.”
In any case, Evie will not be expelled from the institute because of low grades, the exam does not mean expulsion.
But Evie hated the idea of being separated into a different class from her friends.
“At least, Mr. Arcel will undoubtedly take first place,” I thought.
Neither did Irene, who said she wasn't sure she could stay in the top class, which is divided into groups of 35 students.
But, when Evie sees Irene studying determinedly from morning until evening, reading books voraciously, she realizes that she is definitely capable of it.
Even Lusca, who had recently been studying madly for fear of being dismissed alone, was making a strenuous effort.
But, if Evie is the only one to reveal her “true level,” as others say, and get low grades…
Evie imagined what Professor Mallis would say if he knew that: “As if you'd succeed with such low grades!” He scolds her angrily.
So, Evie immersed herself in studying very seriously.
Although she was not in the best of health, was in a strange place, and while others were finding it difficult to deal with her, Effie's sudden rush towards study also made Cloyce turn into a more serious person.
“In Risidian, you have to pay close attention to verb changes,” he told her.
Hours later, the voice of the Minister of State was heard calling Cloyes from outside.
Cloyce was about to ask him to leave, but he realized that it was completely dark outside.
He looked at the clock and found that the curfew time at the Geniuses Institute was approaching.
“I would have liked to take her myself,” thought Cloyce.
But the matter he had come for seemed urgent. Moreover, after he had caused chaos in the institute during the day, it was not wise for him to go again, as it might negatively affect the students of the institute.
But, at the same time, he couldn't let Evie go back alone. So, Cloyce said to the butler: “Summon Rommel and three of his knights.”
“Sir Rommel?” The butler, who rarely loses his composure, replied in a surprised voice.
But he soon regained his calm and conveyed Cloyce's orders. Soon, Rommel arrived, accompanied by other knights. Cloyce addressed them in a serious voice:
"Take Evie to the Genius Institute. Make sure she gets to the dormitory safely and be her guards."
At this, Rommel and the rest of the knights looked puzzled.
Who are they?
They are the Imperial Knights who pledge allegiance only to the Imperial Family.
However, they are asked to protect someone named Evie, whom they have never heard of before?
“Your Majesty, we naturally obey your orders, but who is this Evie?”
someone asked. For those who would die if ordered to do so by Cloyes, it was puzzling that they, including their leader Rommel, would be asked to protect an outsider to the Genius Institute, especially since they were elite.
So who is Evie? Even if an envoy came from a neighboring kingdom, they wouldn't be the ones to protect him.
Rommel, at least, was calmer. But Hilda, who was standing behind him, bowed to Cloïs and said in a resentful tone: “Your Majesty! We are only here to serve you! Please, retract this matter.”
When Hilda spoke, the other knights bowed as well, sharing her feeling that Cloïs's matter was exaggerated.
The Main Palace and the Institute of Geniuses are within walking distance, even within the confines of the Imperial Palace.
However, they are being asked to protect someone other than Cloise for such a short distance?
Just as Hilda was about to beg him again, Effie entered, whose clothes and hair had been rearranged by the maids.
The new school uniform I got from the institute was free of blood stains or wrinkles.
Cloyce welcomed her with a smile: “Evie, these will accompany you to the Genius Institute.”
Then he looked at Hilda and said: “Oh, not everyone, of course.”
There was no need to send someone to refuse. In this case, Hild and the other disapproving knights could be excluded, and the loyal Sir Rommel sent alone...
“You're absolutely right! If we exclude the leader, it would be perfect!”
said Hilde suddenly, who had just been begging to be called off.
She quickly approached Evie, smiling and bowing: "Hello, little princess. Your name is Evie, right? I'm Hilda. I wear an eyepatch due to an old injury, so don't be too afraid of me, okay?"
At Hilda's words, everyone froze, including Clois.
Hilda, who had been known for many years for her harsh speech and dry voice, was now speaking in a gentle, flirtatious tone.
Was she capable of making such a sound?
“Hi, I'm Evie Aldean.”
Evie replied with a bright smile, and the corner of Hild's mouth rose.
“Oh my God, how beautiful you are! Don’t worry, I will take you to the institute myself. Now is the night, so if you feel afraid, shall we hold hands?”
"Yes!"
Evie answered excitedly.
Then, Rommel quickly came forward: “I am Uncle Rommel!”
“And I am Uncle Sigmund!”
“And I'm Aiden!” The knights, who moments before had sworn that they were there only for Cloyce, now surrounded Evie, as if Cloyce no longer existed.
—
Evie pressed her finger to her slightly swollen stomach, which made the skirt of her school uniform look a little tight.
While studying, the butler came over asking if she would like a snack, and pulled out a cart full of food.
When the lid was lifted from the plates, a carefully arranged array of colorful desserts appeared.
Cloyce said she came at the right time and began introducing her to Evie. While she felt a slight pain in her body, the aromatic tea and sugary sweets made her feel happy.
The problem is that she ate too much.
“Ah…”
Evie exhaled, realizing her mistake. Suddenly, a voice was heard from behind her: “If you’re tired, can I carry you on my back?”
“No, I can walk, Sir Rommel!”
Evie answered excitedly. But it seemed that Rommel was not ready to give up his offer.
Then, the other knights looked at him with sharp glances. “Saying you're going to get a lady pregnant is an insult, Commander.”
“Right, shouldn’t we better prepare a cart now?” .
“Exactly, walking from the palace to the institute doesn’t seem logical.”
“If His Majesty knew that Effie walked this far, he might cut off our heads.”
At the mention of beheadings, Evie's face paled. Hilda, who was walking beside her, laughed and said in a whisper: “They are joking. They always play like this.”
Then Rommel shouted: “You say we are playing against your captain, Hilda?”
But Hilda, without raising an eyebrow, replied: “Commander, if you raise your voice, you will frighten Evie. Didn’t you hear what the palace doctor said? You should remain completely at ease.”
“That's true, but…” Rommel muttered, unable to raise his voice any further, as he grumbled discontentedly.
Evie is not yet used to the conversations between these people around her.
“These are the Imperial Knights,” she thought.
After arriving at the Institute of Geniuses, she learned of their existence. They are the most powerful faction in the empire, and pledge allegiance only to the imperial family.
The person who told her details about them was Lusca.
“After I graduate from the institute, I don't want to go to the academy, but rather to join the Imperial Cavalry,” Luska said once over dinner, when the conversation revolved around the students' post-graduation plans.
Arcel said he would go to the academy, and Irene said she would stay in the capital to help Terrence's family with their business. As for Ip6y, she said that she wanted to stay in the palace to work, then asked Loska: “So, will you go with Mr. Arcel to the academy?”
Lusca rose up and said, "Don't decide my future on your own! Since my childhood, I've dreamed of joining the Imperial Knights!"
He then started explaining about the band in detail, which made Evie get to know them and its members.
“All members of the squad are elite, lacking nothing, but the most famous are Commander Rommel and Sir Hilda, who lost an eye protecting His Majesty in the final battle of the War of Succession.”
He continued to tell stories about them. In short, as Luska said, the Imperial Cavalry Division is the strongest in the empire, and its members are people who have transcended the limits of human, downing their enemies without mercy or tears… That's what he definitely said. But…
“Surely you don't want Uncle Commander to carry you, do you? How about Big Sister carrying you?”
Hyland asked. The real Imperial Knights seemed to be very different from what Evie had imagined.
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