CICN Chapter 6

 

 

“Then I’ll be going now. If you need anything, ask the dorm staff on the first floor.”

“Yes!”

 

Melody nodded in satisfaction at the enthusiastic response.

 

“Then unpack well and get some rest.”

“Yes! Thank you so much for today.”

 

When Ivy bowed deeply in thanks, Melody chuckled affectionately and waved as she closed the door.

Ivy looked around the now-quiet Room 305 again, checking every corner.

Perhaps because it was mainly used by children from noble families, even though they were in the same room, the two rooms were completely independent spaces.

The only thing they shared was the entrance hall.

With a separate toilet and bathroom in each room, it seemed possible to live without ever running into the person staying in the opposite room if they left at different times.

Back in her room, Ivy opened the bag Melody had left and took out the items inside.

School uniform, notebook, pen, ink…

It was like magic; the bag seemed to endlessly produce all the essential items for Ivy.

Carefully, as if handling treasures, Ivy placed each item on the desk.

New books, new notebooks, new pens…

Having never enjoyed such things in her life, the sudden abundance in front of her filled her with joy.

First, Ivy picked up a pen and wrote her name inside the cover of the book Melody had given her.

Then she began organizing the items one by one. Placing them here, then there. Gradually, the items found their places.

 

“This is the last one.”

 

Opening the last bag, she found the academy uniform.

Not just the uniform, but also socks, shoes, and even ribbons.

Today, being the first day, everyone wore their own clothes from home, but now they all had to wear the academy’s uniform.

Most likely, the purpose was to clearly distinguish the academy’s students.

Ivy thought about putting it on immediately, but she carefully set the clothes aside and continued to smooth them with her hands.

The clothes were made of clean, soft fabric.

Her name, Ivy, was embroidered on the inside of the garment.

After fondling her clothes for a long while, Ivy snapped out of them and continued unpacking.

There was still some time before dinner.

Ivy sat at her desk and opened the book Melody had given her.

She thought she should read more about the academy’s rules while she had time.

But then Ivy’s gaze stopped in one spot.

 

“Huh? Guardian?”

 

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓

 

Clois was looking out the window.

The sky, which had been clear all day, was now painted with the orange hues of the sunset.

Even though it was a beautiful sky that could mesmerize anyone, his face was filled with annoyance.

His residence was far from the academy, so he couldn’t hear the children’s voices. Nevertheless, he knew that today was the day the children of the Gifted Academy would be coming in.

It was because of the subtle looks of expectation directed at him this morning.

 

‘I suppose I should decide soon.’

 

Although he loudly complained about someone having to choose a successor among this year’s academy students, Clois knew he could no longer postpone the decision.

He couldn’t ignore the issue of succession as emperor.

If he continued to delay deciding on a successor, it would only bring chaos to the empire again.

He had experienced a terrible war of succession.

Such meaningless chaos from war should never happen again.

Clois recalled the names of the children being discussed among the people.

Among them, the names that stood out the most were Arcel and Ruska.

They were the children of the Duke of Caelan and the Marquis of Ragself, who had assisted him.

Having known them since they were young, Clois was well aware of their qualities.

People held Arcel in higher regard, but Clois thought Ruska was also a fine child.

If Arcel became emperor, he would be a ruler everyone would obey and look up to.

However, if Ruska became emperor, he would be a ruler who, rather than maintaining a strict atmosphere, would be closer to his advisors and more attuned to the people’s hearts.

Both children had sufficient qualities.

Moreover, both families were meritorious houses that had helped him multiple times, and both had royal blood mixed into their lineages, so qualifications were not an issue.

His decision was all that remained.

And yet…

 

“Sigh…”

 

A long sigh escaped before he could hold it in.

Lately, Clois has found himself indulging in futile fantasies.

He imagined what it would be like if his wife and daughter were still alive.

 

‘Lillian.’

 

His wife, whom he met while inspecting the provincial territory far from the desolate palace, seemed like a fairy in the forest.

Though she was the daughter of a baron who governed a small estate, such matters were of no concern to Clois.

Clois had left the cold imperial palace, devoid of affection even among parents and siblings, to go down to Lillian’s estate.

After all, he had no interest in the throne whatsoever.

He only wanted to live a joyful and fulfilled life with the one he loved.

But the world cruelly crushed his wish.

When he returned from the battlefield, where he had gone to protect his wife and unborn child, he was met with their shattered bodies.

His daughter, whom he had never seen because he wasn’t there at her birth, lay decaying beside her mother.

A surviving servant had tearfully told him. Lillian had given birth to a daughter, who was named Yvien.

Clois had held the mangled bodies of his loved ones and wept for a whole day.

And when he buried them, he buried his heart with them.

He thought the sorrow would fade with time, but he was gravely mistaken.

One day, he began to see visions.

Turning his head at the sound of laughter drifting like the wind, he would see Lillian.

And beside her, holding her skirt, was a small girl.

 

“Yvien.”

 

Clois called his daughter’s name with sorrow.

Lillian’s face was clear, but his daughter’s face was shrouded in mist, like a fog.

It was only natural, having never seen her, but it pained Clois deeply.

 

‘I’m your father, yet I don’t even know your face.’

 

He thought the visions would disappear over time.

But contrary to his thoughts, the visions appeared more frequently.

Years passed, and in the visions, Yvien seemed to grow a little bit each time.

As if she were truly alive.

Clois confided in the palace physician about the visions he was seeing.

The physician, with a grave expression, told him that he was suffering from severe depression.

The physician said that medication could improve his symptoms and that the visions would cease.

But Clois refused his recommendation.

Life held little joy for him anyway.

Those visions were his only remaining pleasure.

 

‘If Yvien were alive, would she have entered the academy?’

 

If she were alive, she’d be seven years old this year.

Of course, she might not be as smart.

But in his visions, where he still couldn’t see her face, Yvien was quite a smart child.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, followed by the voice of the Chancellor asking if he could enter.

 

“Come in.”

 

The Chancellor entered shortly after.

As always, he placed documents requiring the emperor’s signature on Clois’s desk.

Usually, he would leave immediately after, but not today.

 

“Do you have anything to say?”

 

Clois observed the Chancellor’s hesitation and inquired.

The Chancellor bowed apologetically.

 

“I wish to seek your Majesty’s confirmation on a matter of guardianship.”

“Guardianship?”

“Yes, regarding Ivy Alden’s guardian…”

“Ivy Alden?”

 

It was a name he had never heard before.

Clois mouthed the name. Ivy Alden. Ivy, Ivy…

For some reason, despite hearing it for the first time, it felt unusually smooth on his tongue.

As if it were a name he had just spoken of moments ago.

Then, remembering that the Chancellor had mentioned the word “guardian” along with the name, Clois guessed who the name might belong to.

 

“Is that the name of the child I picked out at the meeting?”

“Yes.”

“But why mention the guardian?”

“All children entering the academy must have a guardian.”

“I thought I told you to take care of that.”

 

Feeling an odd sensation with the name lingering in his mouth, Clois responded curtly.

 

“Of course, Your Majesty. That’s why I was considering who should be the guardian…”

“Why? Is there no suitable candidate?”

“No, it’s quite the opposite. The problem is that everyone is eager to take on the role.”

 

The Chancellor recalled the events before he came in.

Every child entering the academy must have a guardian, and Ivy Alden was no exception.

When he sought a suitable guardian for her, many people surprisingly volunteered.

The problem was that their intentions seemed far from genuine.