Chapter 84

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Translated by Sylph

Read only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net.
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“An older sister is more comfortable, right?”

Hilde asked Evi with a face full of smiles.

Seeing the child’s appearance as she blinked her eyes and didn’t know what to do at her question, she felt like giving her a shoulder ride right then and there.

‘I wondered what was going on when His Majesty called us…….’

In fact, the Imperial Knight Order had already been informed of what happened at the Gifted Center during the day.

“Fortunately, it is said that she has no special injuries, but those arrogant things supposedly touched His Majesty’s body.”

The faces of all the members of the Imperial Knight Order hardened.

Even if the person who tried to grab Clois was a noble girl from the Gifted Center, what would have happened if even a single scratch had been left on him?

Of course, they knew that Clois was also a strong knight capable of sparring with them, so such a thing wouldn’t happen.

However, if the opponent is too weak, defense is actually harder.

With the Emperor’s personality, he might just give up on defense, finding it bothersome to respond.

And then if a scratch were to occur…….

‘It would be a disgrace for all of us.’

So everyone was in a very stiff state.

Yet, a call came from the Emperor again, telling them to guard someone other than himself.

And someone who was clearly related to the commotion of the day.

So, despite knowing it was presumptuous, Hilde had planned to refuse his command and entreat him to let them stay by his side.

However, the moment she saw Evi entering through the door, that thought was wiped away.

Since Clois gave the order to no longer bring in young children, they hadn’t seen any children in the Main Palace.

Very occasionally, a child of someone in the Knight Order would visit, but most were teenagers and were blunt because they were going through puberty. Of course, that was cute in its own way.

Furthermore, those she usually saw were only her colleagues who trained their muscular bodies to an ignorant degree.

After seeing such people every day, she saw Evi, who had her hair cutely braided, walking in with quick steps.

At that moment, Hilde was leaning over and bowing before she realized it.

When you encounter a child or a small animal while passing by, don’t sounds like ‘Aww, is that right?’ come out naturally?

‘This is an instinct. It can’t be helped.’

It was a flimsy excuse for a knight who had strived all her life to move beyond such instincts.

Furthermore, it wasn’t just her.

Rommel, the Commander, also hovered around Evi and then told Clois, ‘I will take her back immediately!’ as he practically snatched her and ran out of the room.

After that, it became this situation.

In Hilde’s hand was Evi’s bag.

It was a bag containing the books Clois had packed and the desserts the Chief Chamberlain had specially packed.

Since it was a bag of a size a child could carry, as Hilde held it, it looked even smaller than a toy bag.

Throughout the walk, the knights made suggestions to Evi.

Should they carry her on their back, hold her in their arms, or give her a shoulder ride?

In their eyes, making her walk this long path with such small feet felt somehow like abuse.

Of course it wasn’t.

“Oh! It’s the Gifted Center! That’s the door that leads over to the Gifted Center!”

After walking for a while, the door leading towards the Gifted Center appeared at the end of the road.

Now, if she passed through that door and walked a bit more, it would be the Gifted Center.

As the familiar place came into view, Evi’s steps quickened.

The knights also naturally picked up their speed. Even so, compared to their usual pace, it was almost at a crawling level.

‘The Director of the Gifted Center said she had settled all the commotion from during the day.’

Furthermore, no one would dare cause a disturbance at the guarded gate where soldiers were standing.

Moreover, as long as Evi was within their circle, not a single strand of her hair could be hurt.

However, the moment they neared the door, someone suddenly appeared from the Gifted Center’s side.

“Evi!”

The person who ran out calling Evi was so fast that the guards stationed in front of the door didn’t even have time to catch them.

The opponent ran straight towards Evi.

The knights immediately shielded Evi behind them and gripped their sword hilts.

At that moment, Evi, who was behind them, her eyes widened, and she shouted as she slipped through their legs.

“Irene!”

Irene pulled Evi, who had run towards her, into a tight hug and rubbed her face against her head.

“Are you okay? Does it hurt? Goodness, what’s with your face? Indeed, you were hurt a lot? Is that why you’re late?”

Evi was the one hurt, but Irene’s voice, asking questions frantically, was tearful.

In an atmosphere as if family members who had been separated for several years were meeting, the knights let go of their swords and approached the side of the two.

“Why were you in the Main Palace for so long? And what on earth happened with His Majesty? No, by any chance, have you heard what happened with Ezriella?”

“I-Irene. Could you please ask just one at a time……”

In the midst of the pouring questions, Evi’s head felt like it was spinning.

As if realizing her mistake, Irene let go of the hands that were holding her shoulders and examined Evi worriedly again.

Then, seeing the knights surrounding her and Evi, she wore a puzzled expression.

“Oh, who are these people? Wait, the emblem of the Imperial Knight Order……!”

The knights thought Irene, who recognized who they were, would step back in surprise.

However, contrary to their expectations, Irene pulled Evi into her arms and glared at them without backing down.

One could tell what Irene wanted to say just by her gaze.

Go away, shoo shoo.

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Contrary to Irene’s wish, the Imperial Knight Order escorted Evi to the front of the dormitory.

It didn’t end there.

Leaving the other male knights in front, Hilde took Evi to the front of the two’s room.

“Irene is back!”

“They say Evi Alden came back together with her!”

The problem was that it wasn’t time to go into the rooms yet.

So, all the female students had come out to the dormitory’s balcony to see the protagonist of today’s commotion.

They whispered as they saw Evi heading inside under Hilde’s protection.

“I know that emblem. It’s the Imperial Knight Order.”

At those words, the murmuring grew even louder.

The fact that they were the strongest was important, but the fact that they were those who listened only to the Emperor’s commands was even more important. Also, that they were those who protected only the Imperial Family.

To think that such Imperial Knights came while escorting Evi.

Did it not mean that the Emperor had personally given the command to treat her almost as if she were a member of the Imperial Family?

Meanwhile, Evi opened the door.

At the familiar space and the smell of the air, her face, which had been tense throughout the journey, finally relaxed.

Evi turned her body and bowed to Hilde.

“Thank you for taking me back. Please tell the other knights that I was really grateful to them as well!”

At Evi’s greeting, Hilde saw the gazes of the students watching them and suddenly placed one hand on her chest and bowed her waist.

“Since I have completed the escort command given by His Majesty the Emperor, I shall now take my leave, Miss Evi Alden. May you have a good night.”

Hilde emphasized the words “His Majesty the Emperor” as if intentionally letting them hear.

Throughout the journey, Hilde had been laughing incessantly, saying things like ‘Call me unnie, shall I carry you on my back? When are you coming to the Main Palace again? Do you want to come play at the Knight Order?’.

But now, she had become the perfect face of a knight and bowed her head slightly in a disciplined posture to greet Evi.

The Imperial Knight Order bows their waist only to the Emperor.

Other than the Emperor, the ones they treat with courtesy are only high-ranking ministers.

Even to them, they never bow their waist and only bow their heads to greet.

Now, she had greeted Evi in the same way as them.

The murmuring of the students who were watching grew even louder.

‘It’s a mess.’

Irene pressed her forehead. Hilde, who noticed Irene’s distress, whispered in a small voice.

“They say it’s already known that His Majesty specially looked after her, right?”

“That’s true, but…… isn’t it a bit excessive to do this much?”

At those words, Hilde winked at the two of them.

“Why? Since the Imperial Knight Order has gone this far, there will be no fellows who dare to pick a fight with you. If by any chance such a stupid person appears……”

Hilde stopped her smile and spoke in a serious voice.

“That is a challenge to our Imperial Knight Order and a challenge to His Majesty the Emperor. So if such a problem occurs, tell me anytime.”

Having said that, she told them to rest well once more and then turned her body to head down the stairs.

Coming down to the lobby, she turned her body and quickly scanned those who were watching her.

As their eyes met, the female students turned their heads in surprise.

Hilde let out a smirk and then stepped outside.

‘His Majesty must have thought this far as well.’

There was no way he would have just simply attached the Imperial Knight Order.

It was certain that he had sent them along so everyone could see clearly, ensuring that something like the incident during the day would never happen again.

Hilde, having grasped her master’s intent, headed outside with her back held straight in a more disciplined posture than ever.

The emblem of the Imperial Knight Order fluttered on the cloak behind her back.

So that everyone in the dormitory could see.