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“Isn’t big sister more comfortable?”
Hilda asked, her face lighting up with a wide smile, directing her words to Evie.
When she saw the child fluttering her eyes, confused and not knowing how to respond, Hilda felt an overwhelming desire to carry her on her shoulders immediately.
“When His Majesty the Emperor summoned us, I wondered what it could be…”, she thought to herself.
In fact, the Imperial Cavalry Squad had received a report about the incident that had occurred at the Genius Institute during the day.
“Fortunately, you were not seriously injured, but it is said that some arrogant people dared to touch His Majesty.”
The faces of all the Imperial Knight Squad members hardened.
It was a girl from a noble family at the institute who tried to catch Cloyce. But, what if he gets any scratch, even a slight one?
Of course, they know that Cloys himself is a strong enough knight to fight duels with them, so he wouldn't have been easily injured.
But when the opponent is very weak, it can be difficult to defend.
With the Emperor's temperament, he might find it tiring to respond and abandon defense altogether.
If he suffers an injury, even a minor one...
“It would be a shame for everyone,” they thought. Therefore, everyone was in a state of extreme tension.
Then came another summons from the Emperor, ordering them to protect someone other than himself, and it was certainly connected with the chaos of the day.
Knowing that this might be considered transgression, Hilda intended to refuse the order and beg to remain at the Emperor's side.
But the moment Evie walked through the door, those thoughts vanished completely.
Since Cloyce issued an order prohibiting young children from being brought into the palace, Hilda no longer saw children in the main palace.
Sometimes the knights' sons would visit, but mostly they were teenagers going through puberty, looking sullen—which was, in its own way, nice too.
But usually, all Hilda sees every day are her fellow knights, their muscular bodies honed with grueling training.
Then suddenly, she saw Evie walking in with light steps, her hair carefully braided, and she unconsciously rushed over to her, bending over and smiling.
Isn't this what happens when you pass a child or a small animal, and you automatically find yourself saying, “Oh, yes, baby?”
“It's an instinct, I can't resist it.”
Hilda thought. This was a poor excuse for a knight who had spent her life seeking to control such instincts.
And she wasn't the only one.
Even Commander Rommel was hesitating around Evie, and then said to Lewis: “I will take her immediately!”
He almost picked her up and ran out of the room. And so, it developed into this situation.
Hilde was carrying Evie's bag, which contained the books Cloyce had prepared and some sweets the butler had added.
The bag was small enough for a child, so in Hilde's hand it looked like a toy bag.
All the way, the knights kept suggesting to Yvette: "Shall we carry you on our back? Or hug you? Or maybe lift you on our shoulders?"
In their eyes, letting her little feet walk such a long distance was like abusing her.
Of course, this was not the case.
"Ah! Here is the Institute of Geniuses! That gate leads to it!"
Evie said as they approached, and pointed to a gate at the end of the road.
After crossing that gate and walking a little, they will reach the institute.
Seeing the familiar place, Yvette's steps quickened, and the knights followed suit, naturally increasing their speed – although this speed was nothing compared to their usual pace, it was more like a crawl.
“The director of the institute said that the day’s chaos has been settled,” thought Hilda.
Moreover, no one dared to make trouble at the guard gate where the soldiers stood.
As long as Evie is under their protection, not a single hair will be harmed. But the moment they approached the gate, a person suddenly appeared from the direction of the institute.
“Evie!”
The girl screamed as she ran towards her so fast that even the guards at the gate were unable to stop her.
She lunged straight at Evie.
In an instant, the knights surrounded Evie, gripping the hilts of their swords. But Evie, who was behind them, opened her eyes in surprise, then crept between their legs and exclaimed:
“Irene!”
Irene hugged Evie warmly, rubbing her face in her hair.
"Are you okay? Does it hurt? Oh my God, what's wrong with your face? Are you really hurt? That's why you're late?"
It was Evie who was injured, but Irene's voice, as she launched a stream of questions, trembled as if she was about to cry.
In an atmosphere resembling a meeting of a family that had been separated for years, the knights dropped their swords and approached the two girls.
"Why did you stay in the main palace all this time? And what is the story of His Majesty the Emperor? Indeed, have you heard anything about the Isriela case?" Irene asked.
“Irene, can you ask one question at a time?”
Evie replied, her eyes rolling with so many questions.
Realizing her mistake, Irene let go of Evie's shoulders, then examined her again with a worried look. Then she noticed the knights surrounding them, and surprise appeared on her face.
"Oh my God, who are they? Wait... Imperial Cavalry emblem!"
The Knights expected that Irene, upon recognizing them, would be terrified and retreat. But, contrary to their expectations, she hugged Evie even tighter, and did not back away, but rather stared at them with a sharp look. The language of her eyes was clear:
“Go away, Cho!”
—
Against Irene's wishes, the Knights of the Imperial Division escorted Yvette to the entrance of the dormitory. And it didn't stop there.
While the male knights stood in front, Hilda escorted Eppie to the door of her room.
“Irene is back!”
“And Ivy Aldean is with her!” The students shouted.
But the problem is that it is not yet time to enter the rooms. So, the dormitory balcony was crowded with female students who had gathered to see the heroine of the day's events.
The students whispered as they watched Evie, who was under Hilda's protection, head inside.
“I know this emblem, it is the emblem of the Imperial Cavalry Division!”
At this statement, their murmurs increased.
It wasn't just their legendary power that was important, but the fact that they only obey the Emperor's orders, and only protect the Imperial Family.
So how do they accompany Evie? Isn't this proof that the Emperor himself ordered her protection, as if she were part of the imperial family?
Meanwhile, Evie opened the door. The familiar smell and atmosphere of the room made her face, which had been tense the whole way, finally relax.
She turned to Hilda and bowed: “Thank you for accompanying me. Please pass my gratitude on to the other knights.”
Hearing Evie's words, Hilde looked into the eyes of the female students who were watching, then suddenly placed her hand on her chest and bowed.
“We have completed His Majesty the Emperor’s order of protection, so we will withdraw now, Miss Ivy Alden. Have a good night.”
Hilde emphasized “His Majesty’s” words deliberately, so that everyone could hear them.
All the way, Hilde was saying: "Call me sister! Shall I carry you? When will you return to the palace? Would you like to visit the knights?"
She smiles nonstop.
But now, she was transformed into the image of the perfect knight, standing solemnly and bowing slightly to Evie. The Imperial Cavalry only bows to the Emperor.
As for those below him, such as high-ranking ministers, they receive only a bow of the head.
But Hilde bowed to Effie in the same way as they do. The murmurs of the watching students doubled.
“What a fuss!” Irene sighed, holding her forehead.
Noticing her anxiety, Hilde whispered: “Hasn’t it already become known that His Majesty took a special interest in her?”
“That's true, but… isn't this a bit exaggerated?” Irene replied.
Hilde winked at them and said, “Why not? After the Imperial Knights did all this, no one would dare bother you two. And if some idiot shows up to do that...”
Hilde stopped smiling and added seriously: “It will be a challenge to the Imperial Cavalry, and even to His Majesty the Emperor himself. So, if there is any trouble, let us know immediately.” Then she advised them to rest and turned to go down the stairs.
In the hallway, Hilda turned to glance at the female students who were watching her.
When their eyes met, they turned their heads in horror. Hilde laughed lightly and left.
“His Majesty must have thought about all this,” I thought.
It wasn't just sending the Imperial Cavalry Division. The goal was for everyone to see clearly that events like the day would never happen again.
Realizing the intentions of whomever she served, Hild stood up straighter than ever, and strode out with a confident stride, her cloak bearing the emblem of the Imperial Cavalry fluttering behind her, visible to everyone in the dormitory.
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