Side Story Chapter 13
Even though she said that, both Irene and Ivie knew it wouldn’t be easy to visit Arsel’s house.
“But… will Dad even allow it…?”
“That’s right. I don’t think His Majesty would give permission so easily.”
Irene looked at Ivie, who was lost in thought.
Since being officially recognized as a princess, Ivie had not yet stepped outside the palace.
‘His Majesty is so worried, there’s no helping it.’
Everyone in the palace already knew how overprotective Clois was of Ivie.
Of course, his actions were understandable. After all, a daughter he thought dead had returned, and even after coming to the capital, she nearly died at the hands of rebels.
After Siren’s death, the Emperor and the Royal Knights captured all the remaining fugitives.
They also sought out everyone who had assisted Siren in his plans and punished them.
Some, like Count Arad, were unaware, but others had helped even knowing it was Siren.
They met the same gruesome fate, lying next to Siren’s mangled corpse.
During all this, Clois kept Ivie safely hidden in a separate palace.
The maids who came and went were carefully selected and trustworthy, having worked there for a long time, and all the palace guards were Royal Knights.
On top of that, Seraphina stayed at the palace for a while.
Thus, Seraphina had to manage the matters of the academy while crying inside the palace.
Even after rooting out all related factions, it was only after a long time that Ivie could leave the palace.
Still, she could not go outside the palace grounds.
Of course, the palace was so vast that there were still many places she hadn’t seen.
‘But… maybe it’s time I start going out little by little?’
Irene remembered how happy Ivie had been when she walked around the capital outside the academy.
‘Next time I meet His Majesty, I’ll emphasize that. Then he should allow it.’
Ivie!
She wants to go out!
What will you do about that!
After dinner, Irene finally prepared to return home.
“First, tell him you want to visit Arsel. We can talk about summer vacation later.”
“Got it!”
Ivie clenched her small fists like she had been entrusted with an important mission.
After seeing Irene off, Ivie returned to her room to finish the unfinished assignments.
The head maid, Countess Verdine, watched Ivie with warm eyes.
‘What an intelligent and admirable princess she is.’
Seeing Ivie so focused, the head maid recalled Clois’s own childhood.
She had been one of the attendants who cared for Clois when he was young.
The Emperor, too, had been a boy who diligently handled his responsibilities alone.
Of course, Ivie, the princess, was far kinder, gentler, and lovelier than young Clois ever was.
But sitting there studying reminded the head maid of the Emperor’s childhood.
Ivie tilted her head, puzzled by a problem.
The head maid cautiously approached and asked,
“Your Highness, is something difficult?”
“Hmm, I don’t understand this part…”
Ivie swallowed her instinctive sigh and showed the problem she was working on.
The head maid looked at it and nodded knowingly.
“This is a biology problem about the four life stages. You’ve studied this far already?”
“Yes. I found it fun while studying…”
Still, she seemed a bit frustrated and embarrassed about not knowing something.
The head maid smiled and explained the problem to her.
It was not difficult for her. She had graduated top of her class from the academy and gone on to the Central Academy.
Thus, she remained in the palace as Clois’s teacher and maid.
Eventually, she had left that position due to her own busy life, and now, with her husband passed and children independent, she had been called back by the Emperor.
Back to a role she had once found so fulfilling.
Seeing Ivie, the princess, her eyes shining brightly in the palace, the head maid realized that even more joyful times were yet to come.
She explained the difficult parts to Ivie.
As expected, Ivie listened carefully and quickly understood, solving the problems.
When she finished, Ivie tidied her desk and stood up.
The head maid instantly understood what Ivie wanted.
“You want to pay respects to His Majesty, Princess?”
“Yes! I want to go to Dad!”
“…Your Highness.”
When the head maid smiled awkwardly, Ivie cleared her throat and continued,
“I want to go kiss him goodnight.”
Even though she spoke formally without exaggeration, the endearing expression made the head maid take Ivie’s hand.
“Yes, he’s waiting. Let’s go.”
Holding the head maid’s hand, Ivie headed toward Clois’s bedroom.
‘What should I say to Dad?’
First, she would ask permission to visit Arsel in the Kaylen Duke’s household.
‘Should I also ask if I can go on summer vacation?’
Even thinking about it, it was still far off.
The new year hadn’t even begun, yet she was planning for summer vacation.
‘I originally wanted to stop by the orphanage in Elam.’
The head of the orphanage had long since returned to Elam City.
The children there must be waiting, so there was no avoiding it.
Before leaving the palace, the head said to Ivie,
“Then, farewell, Your Highness.”
She could not bring herself to tell Ivie to visit the orphanage.
Now that Ivie was a princess, no matter how indifferent Ivie herself was, the ministers would surely oppose it.
Perhaps even the Emperor wouldn’t approve.
Yet, contrary to the head’s thoughts, Ivie held her hand and said in front of Clois,
“Can I go to the orphanage? I want to see my friends.”
Hearing Ivie call the children “friends,” the head was taken aback and looked at the Emperor.
Clois spoke,
“As long as the children aren’t too surprised or resistant, I see no reason to prevent her visit. I don’t want to restrict her in any way.”
Hearing this, the head bowed deeply, speechless.
“Truly… thank you…”
It wasn’t just gratitude for being able to see Ivie again.
No matter how much Ivie longed for the orphanage, she was now a princess.
Regardless of Ivie’s wishes, the authority and prestige of the royal family and the ministers’ opposition would be an issue.
But the Emperor’s firm words made it clear: such concerns were no problem for him or Ivie.
A princess’s visit would make the orphanage seem a place where children were protected, not abandoned.
Thanks to this, Ivie’s eventual visit to the Elam orphanage was now certain.
When Ivie told Irene, she suggested that Ivie could go to the orphanage and then come south afterward.
‘That’s true…’
But that would mean staying away from the palace for a long time—would Dad allow it?
Ivie swallowed dryly.
First, she needed permission to visit Arsel.
Clois, now in pajamas, sat on the sofa, looking at paperwork left unfinished from earlier.
Normally, he would have read, reviewed, and signed in a flash. But now, he didn’t even look at the papers, only anxiously staring at the door.
Then the chief steward’s voice came from outside.
“Your Majesty, Princess Ivie has arrived.”
Clois jumped up immediately.
“Tell her to come in…!”
“Dad!”
Before Clois could finish speaking, the door opened, and Ivie ran to him.
Smiling as if expecting this, Clois caught her in his arms.
“Ivie!”
Though they had only missed each other during the day, it looked like a reunion after months.
Clois kissed Ivie’s cheek.
“Studying?”
Ivie looked surprised, and Clois gently wiped the faint graphite on her cheek.
“I have my ways of knowing.”
“How did you know? Do you use magic too, Dad?”
“That’s a secret.”
Clois chuckled, holding her tighter.
Beyond the open door, the steward and head maid watched, as if witnessing this tender moment.
Unlike usual, Ivie pressed her lips together after bowing and saying goodnight, as if she had something to say.
Noticing this, Clois waited, smiling.
Hesitant, Ivie clenched her fists and said loudly,
“Dad, I want to go visit Arsel!”
She waited nervously for his answer.
The steward and head maid behind her were equally surprised.
Since returning to the palace, Ivie had not gone outside even once.
Naturally, this was Clois’s decision.
He wanted Ivie safe while dealing with Siren’s aftermath.
Thus, he was expected to politely decline for now.
But instead, Clois said,
“Alright, I understand.”
“Huh?”
“Eh!”
“Oh my!”
Ivie and the steward and head maid were stunned at how easily he granted permission.
Clois continued, smiling,
“But there are conditions.”
The next day, the entire Royal Knights were summoned in front of the main palace.
Not just the Royal Knights; Seraphina also stood before them, dressed as if ready for battle.
Clois muttered to himself,
“Still… I can’t fully relax.”
At this, the knight commander, Sir Rommel, gave him a disapproving look.
“Then perhaps Your Majesty should go with her.”
Clois replied with a slightly reluctant expression,
“That would make me look like an overbearing father.”
“…Isn’t that exactly the point?”
