CICN 124

Chapter 124

They had been close friends since childhood.

Of course, if you said that aloud, both of them would grimace and make faces like it was nauseating.

But the fact that Ruska was Arsel’s closest friend, and Arsel was Ruska’s, was undeniable.

Being children of one of the empire’s prestigious families, they were always surrounded by people trying to become friends with them.

Among all those people, the reason they grew particularly close wasn’t just because they spent so much time together as children—it was also because neither ever crossed the other’s boundaries.

Because of that, they had never truly clashed or confronted each other.

Whenever either felt it was enough, they would step back.

Luckily, both were perceptive in these matters and didn’t want to provoke their friend unnecessarily.

But today was different.

“Take this!”

“Why? Frustrated you can’t catch me?”

To an outsider, it might look like nothing more than a brute struggle of grabbing and knocking each other down.

But in the Ragselb household, fighting barehanded like this was considered essential training.

They needed to quickly understand their own physical strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of their opponent.

They had to gauge how long they could endure, when to exert force, and at the moment of impact, assess the difference between themselves and their opponent.

Naturally, Arsel and Ruska had practiced like this many times.

But since the point wasn’t to determine a clear winner, they would back off at a suitable moment.

Today, however, was different.

“Do you… really… admit defeat?”

“Ruska, you’re the one… huff…”

They both panted heavily, still glaring at each other.

This was the first time they had pushed each other to the point of refusing to yield.

Even so, there was no resentment in their eyes.

Honestly, both of them were enjoying it.

It was the first time they had pushed each other relentlessly without holding back.

So…

“I’ll never lose.”

“Who do you think you’re talking to?”

The two boys wiped the sweat from their hands and prepared to grapple and knock each other down again.

“Wow, they’re relentless.”

Eric, who had been watching, shook his head.

“Why are you two taking this so seriously?”

Arsel and Ruska answered simultaneously:

“We have to decide which house Evi will live in!”

“To bring Evi to our house, we have to win!”

Eric crossed his arms, dumbfounded.

“What nonsense…?”

When did they even make that bet?

Irene, who had also been nearby and heard this, gave both of them a look as if they’d lost their minds.

“What nonsense. Who said anything about sending Evi away? Isn’t it obvious that Evi lives with me? I’m even sharing a room with her right now.”

She then began to tidy up the wooden skewers on the ground.

“Stop daydreaming and finish this quickly. Don’t you see others cleaning around you?”

Irene was right. It was late, and the duel showed no sign of ending, so people nearby were starting to tidy up.

Agreeing with Irene, Eric flipped the duel’s sand timer and said:

“Finish in five minutes. If not, it’s a draw.”

“Ugh.”

“Argh!”

The word “draw” sparked determination in the boys’ eyes once more.

After giving it their all, a draw was unbearable.

As they searched for an opening to attack each other’s weaknesses again, suddenly…

“…!”

Arsel, Ruska, Eric, and the trainee knights tidying up all froze and turned their heads.

“What’s happening?”

Irene looked around, confused.

Soon, even at night, dust rose from the road, accompanied by the sound of multiple horses galloping.

“Warhorses?”

“Trained ones.”

To Irene, it was just the distant sound of hooves, but the Ragselb brothers, Arsel, and the trainees seemed to have instantly recognized what was coming.

Without anyone saying a word, everyone assumed a defensive stance and watched the road.

Some quickly drew or retrieved their weapons.

Irene, startled by the sudden tension, looked for Evi.

“Huh?”

She had seen Evi tidying up under the tent just a moment ago, but now she was nowhere in sight.

There was only one path to the mansion, and knowing Evi’s personality, she wouldn’t have gone back alone.

Just as Irene began to search around the tent, Ruska and Arsel approached and held her back.

“Here she is.”

“But…”

Before Irene could protest, the sound of horses drew nearer.

As everyone stood tensely, Ruska, listening intently, spoke in a surprised voice:

“Father?”

At that, the other brothers focused their attention and blinked.

“Huh? Really?”

“Weren’t you at the palace? Why are you back now?”

“And… in such a hurry?”

Moments later, the Ragselb Marquis appeared, riding a horse.

“Marquis!”

The trainee knights lowered their weapons and hurried to see the mansion’s master approaching.

The marquis was not alone. Four knights followed him.

Seeing them, everyone froze.

Their insignias were unmistakably clear.

“Royal Knights!”

A ripple of excitement spread.

Even if each aspired to join different orders, the Royal Knights were always the pinnacle of admiration.

The marquis and the knights quickly dismounted near the group.

“Sir Rommel!”

“Sir Hilde is here too!”

“Sir Sigmund and Sir Aiden as well!”

These were the representatives of the Royal Knights.

That they were here with the Ragselb Marquis meant…

Everyone’s gaze shifted to the last person to arrive.

In the flickering light of a distant bonfire, his bright blonde hair gleamed as he dismounted.

His deep blue eyes scanned everyone, and his natural pride and confidence were evident.

Even in plain clothes, everyone knew who he was.

Having seen him recently, Irene, Arsel, and Ruska recognized him immediately.

“Your Majesty!”

Startled, everyone knelt and bowed as they addressed him.

Chlois spoke to those bowing:

“Greetings are done. Everyone, rise.”

Everyone hesitated but slowly stood, each thinking the same thing:

Why has His Majesty come here?

After a quick glance around, he asked:

“Where is Evi?”

Meanwhile…

“Ugh!”

Evi was climbing a tree.

Looking up, she saw a small kitten trembling on a branch.

Meow.

As she climbed higher, the kitten let out a faint, barely audible cry.

“So it was you.”

Evi smiled and continued climbing.

Since dinner, she had heard strange sounds in the forest.

Though no one else seemed to notice, Evi clearly heard the small call for help.

After briefly forgetting about it while watching the trainee knights’ duel and eating, she returned to the tent to tidy up and heard the sound again.

Though she couldn’t see inside the dark forest clearly, she headed in that direction.

Though she had thought the forest was dense before sunset, she found no obstacles in her path.

Eventually, she spotted the trembling kitten on a branch.

Below, the mother cat stood on one leg, hesitating.

“You couldn’t climb up because you were hurt, huh?”

Myaa.

The mother cat mewed softly, as if to confirm.

Evi grabbed the tree and began climbing.

Her time at the orphanage, climbing to pick fruits, proved useful now.

“Ugh, have I gotten heavier?”

She had been able to climb easily before, but now her arms felt the strain.

Still, she hadn’t forgotten how to climb.

Panting and sweating, she finally reached the branch where the kitten was perched.

Haaah!

Seeing Evi, the kitten puffed up like a hedgehog.

Evi carefully reached out.

“Are you hurt?”

The kitten was too scared to move, letting Evi hold it.

“It’s okay. Let’s go to your mom.”

Perhaps understanding, the kitten soon crawled into Evi’s arms, purring.

“Hmm… I think you can go down now.”

Falling from this height wouldn’t harm the kitten. The forest floor, covered with summer leaves, was soft.

Myaah?

Sensing she might be about to lower it, the kitten squirmed.

Below, the mother cat, worried, circled, one leg raised.

‘I wish someone was there to catch it.’

At that moment, footsteps approached from inside the forest.

“Over here! Someone help!”

Was it Irene? Or perhaps Arsel or Ruska after finishing their duel?

Or maybe one of the Ragselb brothers or the trainee knights?

Hearing Evi’s voice, the footsteps quickened.

Then, breaking through the bushes…

“Your Majesty!”

Evi called out in surprise.

“Evi!”

Chlois, also startled, called back.

“Why are you there…?”

Unable to see her, he had rushed to her voice, only to find her up in the tree.

“Your Majesty! Please catch this kitten!”

“Huh?”

Evi carefully tossed the kitten toward Chlois.

Meow!

The kitten, thrown without preparation, landed safely in Chlois’s arms.

The mother cat, circling anxiously, urged him to put it down.

As Chlois did, the mother cat immediately grabbed her kitten’s neck and dashed into the bushes.

Before disappearing, she turned back briefly, as if to thank them, then vanished.

“Bye! Take care!”

Evi waved toward where the cats disappeared.

“Evi! It’s dangerous! Stay still!”

“I’m fine. I’m good at climbing trees.”

But Chlois watching her was far from reassured.

At that moment, the mansion’s clock tolled midnight.

Hearing it, Chlois looked at Evi and said:

“I asked Irene Terins if it would be okay for me to spend the last week with you. She gladly said yes.”

Evi’s eyes widened.

She thought she would return to Irene’s house, but instead, she would spend time with His Majesty?

“But I forgot to ask you. Evi, would you like to go out with me?”

Saying that, Chlois extended his arms toward Evi in the tree.

As if to say, “I’ll catch you, so don’t worry, just jump.”

It was high enough to hurt if someone fell, but…

“Yes!”

Evi replied enthusiastically and jumped without hesitation into Chlois’s arms.

She felt no fear.

His Majesty would surely catch her!

After a brief fall, strong yet gentle arms embraced her.

‘This is a secret…’

Evi liked Irene, Arsel, and Ruska for their care, guidance, and treats…

‘…but I like His Majesty the most.’

In Chlois’s embrace, which she had longed for these past weeks, Evi smiled and hugged him tightly.