Chapter 125
As Clois emerged from the forest holding Ivy in his arms, everyone crowded around.
“Ivy!”
“Ivy, are you okay?”
Rarely, even with the Emperor present, the attention was on someone else.
“I’m fine. Oh? Sir Rommel! And Sir Hilde too!”
Noticing the arrival of the Imperial Knights, Ivy’s joy softened Hilde’s usually sharp gaze.
At that sight, the Ragselv brothers and the apprentice knights widened their eyes in surprise.
Who was Sir Hilde? The Iron-Blooded Knight, the Mad Dog of the Battlefield, the Witch, the Bloodstorm… all those terrifying and formidable nicknames belonged to her.
Even the eyepatch over one of her eyes was a strong testament to her legendary feats.
Despite being the strongest among the knights, she was infamous for her cold personality and sharp demeanor toward others.
Because of that, everyone knew the famous story: the position of the Commander of the Imperial Knights went to Sir Rommel, who was a bit more sociable than her.
Anyway, this was the knight who had never smiled at anyone, even against the biting winter winds.
“You know, Ivy. You can call me sister, you know?”
Looking at Ivy, who was cuddled in Clois’s arms, Hilde took a step closer as if wanting to hold her too, smiling as she spoke. Everyone couldn’t believe their eyes.
Not just the Imperial Knights.
Ivy’s own children, the apprentice knights, and even a girl Arsel had never met before—all their gazes were on the child in the Emperor’s arms, not on the Emperor himself.
“Where were you? We were worried and searching for you.”
Irene’s scolding was answered by Clois.
“She went up to rescue a kitten stuck in the trees.”
“Oh, right. Ivy said she kept hearing strange noises in the forest by herself.”
Irene recalled.
Hearing this, the Marquis Ragselv looked toward the forest.
Even though it was a forest within the estate, it was thick with underbrush.
She had gone in there alone? Normally, she would have tripped over bushes and thorns before taking a single step.
Moreover, the place was noisy with many people around, yet she alone heard the cries of a baby kitten.
‘If it were an ordinary sound, my sons would have heard it first.’
But it seemed Ivy had heard it alone and entered the forest.
In that moment, the Marquis felt a sense of déjà vu.
This had happened before—a person entering the forest alone, unharmed, moving as if the place were her own home.
At the same time, he remembered the Duke Kellen’s words about keeping an eye on a visiting child.
Not only his own sons but even Arsel, usually distant, was there, concerned for the child.
When Ivy’s eyes met his, she asked Clois to lower her, then approached the Marquis and bowed.
“Hello, Marquis Ragselv. My name is Ivy Alden. Thank you for inviting me to this wonderful estate.”
Despite her youth, her confident attitude and polite greeting made the Marquis smile unconsciously.
Clois then approached from behind Ivy, lifted her again, and said,
“It’s a shame to part immediately after your greeting. But since Ivy and Luska are close, I suppose there’ll be another chance to see each other later.”
“Excuse me? Parting? What do you mean?”
The Marquis was flustered, seeing Clois acting as if they were about to leave.
It was just past midnight, so naturally, he expected them to stay at the estate.
“Ivy isn’t very tired, so we’ll head straight to the villa. Staying at your estate suddenly might trouble your staff…”
Clois said, looking at Sir Rommel.
Understanding the Emperor’s intent, Rommel continued.
“The Imperial villa is also easier to guard.”
“Very well then.”
There was no need for further persuasion. With the Emperor’s resolve so firm, asking further would be a waste of time.
“Understood. Then, if it’s alright, why not ride Elisha? The horses here have run and may be tired, and Elisha is easier to manage with a child.”
“I gladly accept your kindness.”
Following the Marquis’s gesture, Ein and Eric hurried to fetch Elisha from the stables.
Meanwhile, Vanessa, having received the notice, quickly packed Ivy’s necessary items into a small bag.
“Here you go. I packed the magic stones and your doll, Miss.”
Seeing Vanessa place the items carefully among Ivy’s clothes, Ivy finally exhaled in relief.
“Magic stones?”
“Yes! The ones Your Majesty gave you! And the doll too.”
“The doll?”
“The squirrel doll from the festival lottery!”
“…I didn’t realize you always carried it around.”
Clois’s lips curled slightly despite his apparent indifference.
Moreover, she had packed it as one of her most important belongings. Fortunately, it was dark; otherwise, everyone would have clearly seen his twitching smile.
A little later.
Though clearly annoyed at being woken from a deep sleep, Elisha approached Ivy with a joyful purring, rubbing her face against hers.
“Thank you, Marquis. The rest of Ivy’s things will be sent tomorrow morning.”
“Understood.”
Clois hugged Ivy tightly in one arm, effortlessly stepped into the stirrups, and mounted the horse.
Watching his skillful movements, onlookers remembered how he had traveled countless battlefields, surpassing even many knights.
“Let’s go!”
With Sir Rommel’s shout, four knights split into front and rear, escorting Clois and Ivy.
“Goodbye, Irene! Arsel! Luska! See you later! Brothers! Knights!”
Ivy wriggled in Clois’s arms, poked her face out, and waved with a smile.
“See you later!”
“Take care, Ivy!”
“Come visit again! If Luska doesn’t like it, I’ll marry your brother… you guys! Hey, stop hitting me!”
Everyone waved back, offering their own farewells.
As suddenly as they had arrived, the Emperor departed in an instant.
“He’s gone.”
Irene turned from watching the Emperor’s retreating figure into the darkness.
There stood a visibly sulking Arsel and Luska.
‘I thought it was impressive that they came so early…’
The Emperor had taken Ivy as soon as it struck midnight.
‘This is clearly His Majesty’s victory.’
And Ivy had happily followed without hesitation.
Turning her head, Irene approached Marquis Ragselv to greet him.
“Hello, Marquis. I’m Irene Terrins, Ivy’s friend. We’ve been in your care as well. It’s an honor to meet you.”
The mischievous girl who had roasted marshmallows by the fire was gone.
“Thank you for letting us stay.”
A young lady, elegant enough for high society, bowed gracefully.
Luska, watching beside her, gaped in disbelief and let out an odd sound, as if nauseated.
Irene’s hand immediately jabbed Luska’s side.
Her lightning-fast, natural expressions and confident demeanor—especially scolding her own son—made the Marquis’s eyes shine.
‘She has potential.’
He was quite pleased with the girl.
~ Morning ~
A strange bird call stirred Ivy awake.
Rubbing her swollen eyes from a deep sleep, she frowned at the unfamiliar ceiling and the bright sunlight streaming into the room.
“Ah… this is… His Majesty’s villa…”
After departing the Marquis’s estate, Ivy had fallen asleep immediately, exhausted from the day’s activities.
When she briefly opened her eyes, she remembered arriving and seeing people welcoming them inside the villa.
“Yawn…”
Stretching and quickly tidying the blanket, Ivy opened the door and stepped outside.
“Oh my, Miss Ivy, you’re awake.”
An older maid outside approached her with a bright smile.
Hearing “Miss Ivy” was slightly embarrassing; hearing “Ivy-nim” made her palms tingle with even more bashfulness.
“You can just call me Ivy.”
“Oh, how could I dare? You came with His Majesty. Now, hurry and wash up; He’s waiting downstairs.”
“His Majesty is already up?”
“Of course.”
Upon hearing that Clois was waiting, Ivy quickly followed the maid to the bathroom to wash and change.
The wardrobe already contained clothes sent from Irene’s estate.
Dressed in comfortable clothes, Ivy hurried downstairs.
“Your Majesty!”
“Up already?”
Clois, reading a book downstairs, greeted Ivy with a bright smile.
“Yes, did you sleep well?”
Opening his arms, Clois welcomed Ivy, who ran into him naturally, just like in the forest last night.
The knights nearby watched, envy and surprise crossing their faces, seeing Clois so relaxed and at ease.
Recently, his schedule had been chaotic. The Emperor’s position was never comfortable, but after the Siren issue, he had been even busier.
Yet he had managed to take a week off—a near-impossible feat.
‘But he did it.’
He had spent the entire week issuing orders and checking documents without resting, hardly sleeping.
The confused ministers wondered why His Majesty acted this way and even asked the knights to intervene.
They had tried.
After several rounds of rock-paper-scissors, Rommel represented them and said,
“Your Majesty, perhaps leaving the palace for a week is a bit too much, considering the Siren issue…”
Clois glanced at him and replied,
“Isn’t that exactly why I need to leave?”
“Huh?”
“If the Siren has disguised himself and entered the capital, shouldn’t I leave the capital?”
“…?”
Indeed? It seemed illogical, yet somehow made sense upon reflection.
In the end, the knights gave up persuading him.
“Well then, shall we have breakfast?”
Clois took Ivy’s hand, heading toward the dining hall.
The knights watched his back, thinking:
This was the first official vacation since he became Emperor.
They silently hoped he would enjoy it.
