Chapter 136
Starting with the re-enrollment of students this year, the buildings of the Academy of Gifted Youth were gradually reopened one by one after completing repairs.
Today, the venue for the seasonal festival was the most splendid and beautiful building in the academy, a place originally designed for hosting academy events.
Built during the era of a formerly extravagant emperor, it was a luxurious space that contrasted sharply with the rest of the academy’s atmosphere.
When the ministers decided to restore the building, they cautiously asked while gauging Cloise’s reaction:
“Shall we completely renovate the interior?”
Unlike the late emperor, Cloise disliked pomp and luxury. So, they were worried he might order it to be completely demolished…
“You seem worried that I might set fire to it and tear it all down,” Cloise said.
To be honest, they were.
“How long would it take, and how much would it cost, to tear it down and rebuild versus just repairing it?”
“I have the calculations right here!”
After quickly reading the documents handed by the minister, Cloise responded immediately:
“Proceed with repairs and reopen it afterward.”
This approach would cost less and save time.
More importantly, the building was a work of art by some of the finest artists of that era.
“This is practically a cultural asset. It deserves preservation as it is,” Cloise added.
That decision left all the students entering today in awe.
“This place is really beautiful,” Evi said, unable to keep her mouth closed as she looked at the ceiling adorned with intricate paintings.
The ceiling depicted the heroic deeds of the founding emperor and successive emperors.
Golden decorations hung across the walls, and intricately patterned silk wallpaper covered the rest.
Next to the massive newly painted and glazed windows were curtains embroidered with the royal and academy insignias in gold thread, and on the floor lay a huge carpet unlike any she had ever seen.
It was a venue worthy of the term “banquet hall.”
Evi, now visiting not just the academy but also the royal palace, was used to luxury. During summer vacation, she had stayed at the extravagant Terrence family mansion in the capital, the historically prestigious Cailen Duke estate, and the massive, fortified Ragselv Marquis estate.
She had become somewhat desensitized to opulence. But this banquet hall was overwhelmingly breathtaking, capable of stealing her breath in an instant.
“Here’s a guidebook, too,” Irene said, handing Evi a small booklet from near the entrance.
The book, akin to a small illustrated catalog, was filled with the building’s history and descriptions of the decorations.
Evi immediately looked for the explanation of the ceiling paintings.
“Ah, here it is,” she said.
At the center of the ceiling was the founding emperor.
Beside him were paintings of battles from other emperors she had seen long ago in the royal museum.
As she suspected, all the ceiling paintings depicted the successive emperors.
‘Then… is His Majesty here too?’
With so many blondes in the royal family and the distance of the painting, it was hard to identify who was Cloise.
Before reading the description, Evi noticed an emperor holding a child’s hand in the painting.
In the other hand, he held a woman’s hand—not dressed as an empress.
“That’s Empress Lilian,” Irene explained.
“Eh? Who?”
“The person painted at the far end. Next to her is His Majesty Cloise.”
“Oh… over there,” Evi said, pointing to the corner of the painting.
Irene nodded and quickly read the book to explain the painting to Evi.
“When they built this, the deceased emperors had their most famous battles painted, and afterward, each emperor had their preferred scenes depicted.”
That explained why the paintings toward the edges were not battle scenes but various other scenes.
One emperor played a flute surrounded by beautiful birds perched on his hands and shoulders—he must have loved birds and music.
Another emperor gazed at a vast mountain range from a high cliff.
And Cloise…
“…painted the late empress and princess,” Evi whispered.
He simply depicted himself with his wife and daughter—wanting to be with family.
‘If I became his daughter…’
Would he paint me there too?
As Evi stared blankly at the scene, someone suddenly placed their hands on her and Irene’s shoulders from behind.
“Wah!”
Startled, the two turned around to see Ruska standing there with a cheeky grin.
“Hey! You scared me!”
Irene poked Ruska’s stomach repeatedly in annoyance, but Ruska leaned aside effortlessly, sticking out his tongue as if he had expected it.
“I called you two because you were dazed and not responding. Also, you both look really pretty today. You caught my eye immediately.”
Evi and Irene’s faces flushed at the unexpected compliment.
“Thank you! You look great too, Ruska!”
“Of course. I’ve always looked great.”
Irene shook her head, exasperated by his confidence.
‘Seriously, full of himself!’
But as Evi noticed, Ruska did look unusually handsome today. He had spent all summer goofing around like a potato, yet now looked respectable in his clothes.
‘Did I not sleep enough yesterday?’
She shook her head, realizing she must be out of sorts. Otherwise, Ruska appearing presentable would have been impossible.
“I thought you two would wear the same dress, but it’s different?” Ruska asked.
“Well…” Irene touched her forehead.
Originally, they had intended to wear matching dresses. She had envisioned the perfect couple look!
But things hadn’t gone as planned.
“Evi looks far better in yellow…”
Despite trying on several options, the yellow dress suited Evi perfectly.
As for herself, her silver hair matched the purple dress better.
Not wanting to give up matching dresses, she had written to Madame Crevel for advice and received a blunt reply:
[Give up.]
So, tearfully, Irene accepted that they would wear the outfits that suited them best.
‘Cute, but…’
She worried her sunburned face might make the outfit look odd, but Evi quickly returned to her pale, soft complexion. Her burned neck and back also healed instantly.
When asked how, Evi shrugged.
“I just took a nap under the tree.”
Apparently, she had just dozed off while studying in the shade behind the dormitory, yet somehow healed. A miracle.
“Why are you alone? Where’s Arsel?”
“He’ll be here soon. He got caught up on the way. Do you want to eat? The feast is set up in the corridor right next door.”
Ruska led the two toward the side.
“Is this food for the banquet?”
The hall had amazed them, but the food was equally astonishing.
“Since His Majesty is attending, this is the most elaborate royal feast. That’s what the book says,” Ruska explained.
Evi discreetly picked up a beautifully made canapé with tongs.
Chewing, she expected an extraordinary taste, but…
“Hm.”
Her ambiguous expression prompted Irene to try one too—and she made the same face.
“What’s wrong?” Ruska asked.
“You make it better,” they said simultaneously.
It wasn’t just this dish. Even though dormitory meals had tasted good before, something about the banquet food was slightly lacking.
Evi sulked.
“I want more of Ruska’s cooking.”
“Me too.”
“That’s nice to hear. Then next weekend, want to come over? My brothers are already asking for you to visit again,” Ruska said.
“Really? Can we?”
“Yes. In autumn, we always hunt wild boars on our estate. We’ll roast one whole.”
Gulp. Whole roasted wild boar—what a treat.
Ruska went on about how fun outdoor barbecues were, glancing toward the entrance unnoticed by Evi and Irene.
He had one mission today: stay by Evi’s side.
After secretly mapping possible inn locations, Cailen Duke sent people immediately. Within a week, reports came in.
Three locations had no suitable inns.
The problem was the last one.
“Sir, I think we found the place you mentioned. However…”
