Chapter 14: CH 14

Thunk-!

Riett snapped out of her nostalgic thoughts and placed a glass in front of Evan with a loud sound. Despite her aggressive appearance, Evan had a pleasant smile on his face.

“The glass might break.”

“It would’ve been nice if it did.”

“Why do you think our Duchess is in a bad mood?”

When Evan casually asked, Riett clenched her lips tightly.

“Do you want to know because you’re curious?”

“Ah, because of Viscount Kael? By the way, what happened when you were supposed to have a meal with him? How did it turn out?”

Viscount Kael was the man Riett was supposed to meet.

“Everyone knows that he’s a notorious playboy, except for our Riett.”

“He also has a hidden child, right?”

“Ah, I know everyone dislikes dining with him. They say he’s overly fussy about food.”

In the end, she fell for Evan’s words and ended up snubbing Viscount Kael, but later she found out that it was all baseless rumors.

“You were completely wrong about everything you said!”

“I heard people saying that last time, maybe it was about someone else.”

Riett’s hands were shaking at his brashness, but on a day like today, she didn’t want this guy to ruin her day.

At that moment, the door opened, and finally, the person she had been waiting for appeared.

“Mister!”

“Oh, Riett!”

Hail Kreutz, who spotted Riett, approached with a joyful face.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes, Mister. And you?”

“I’ve been well too.”

Hail lightly embraced Riett.

“I’m here too, Father.”

Upon Evan’s voice, Hail belatedly greeted him.

“Yes, Evan.”

“Is everything alright with the territory?”

“Will anything happen in the same old land?”

Hail passed on his title to his son, Evan, and went down to the province to take care of the territory management that his younger brother, Haart, had been in charge of.

Evan said there was no need to do that, but it was what Hail wanted. His mind and body were exhausted from his long political career.

Thanks to that, it had been a long time since Hail, Riett, and Evan faced each other. Hail only made occasional visits to the capital once every season.

“Mister, please come up more often.”

Riett had always missed Hail. Becoming a duchess, a nobleman, made her appreciate his footsteps even more.

“I want to, but I’m a bit busy with territory management.”

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Oh, Riett, you’re the only one I have.”

In the few years, Hail, who had grown a few white hairs, had a fittingly kind smile that reflected the years he had experienced.

“How are you, Riett? Is anyone bothering you?”

“Only Evan bothers me.”

Riett raised the knife towards Evan and spoke. Evan shrugged as if he didn’t understand the conversation at all. Hail, seemingly familiar with this situation, smoothly continued with his next words.

“I was really worried. Among the noble members, Riett, you’re the only woman.”

“Well, that’s true, but don’t worry. You know my personality.”

Riett blew on the freshly served soup to cool it down.

The worried look on Hail’s face didn’t fade with her reassuring words.

“I worry more because I know your personality. People like you, straightforward and honest, are easy targets.”

Hail understood the ecosystem of the nobles well. They considered anyone who wanted to take away what they held as an enemy, and they were reluctant to let go. It was about safeguarding their power.

Although the objective was straightforward, it was a sensitive and significant issue as it directly affected their status and well-being.

“Father is right.”

Evan, who had been quietly listening until now, agreed. Riett’s eyebrow raised, displeased with Evan’s intrusion.

“What’s wrong?”

“Riett, you have too many enemies.”

Riett understood that Evan wasn’t attacking her. His calm eyes seemed even more serious than usual.

“Don’t provoke the privileged powers too much. I keep hearing about you from behind the scenes.”

Upon hearing Evan’s words, Riett put down the spoon and smirked.

“Do you think I’m acting like this because I don’t know anything?”

“It means you should be careful.”

“Evan, nothing changes by just being cautious of the nobles’ perception.”

Evan rubbed his head in frustration at Riett’s firm words.

“That’s what’s frustrating. When you think you have to go somewhere, you jump in without looking back, even if it’s a pit.”

Evan abandoned his relaxed expression and revealed his emotions as the atmosphere intensified. At this point, Hail intervened.

“Alright, let’s stop arguing and enjoy this fine day.”

Hail grasped Riett’s hand on the table.

“Riett, I know how smart and strong you are. But still, I worry.”

“…”

“Right now, the Emperor is behind you, so no one will touch you. But if you show even a slight opening, the enemies won’t miss it.”

Riett pursed her lips at Hail’s sharp words. Despite living in a remote territory far from the capital, she accurately read the political currents in the court. Perhaps in the eyes of the older generation, she and Evan still seemed inexperienced. So it was natural for them to worry.

Riett knew that she had to take a step back at times like this.

“I understand. I’ll be careful.”

Finally, Hail smiled with satisfaction.

Soon, the main course arrived, and fortunately, the conversation shifted focus to Evan.

“Evan.”

“Yes?”

“The second princess has expressed her desire for a marriage consultation.”

Evan narrowed his eyes at the unpleasant topic.

“You don’t have to worry about it.”

“The princess seemed quite proactive.”

“I’ve already indicated my refusal.”

While slicing the veal, Riett half-listened to their conversation. The courtship of Evan from the second princess was already a well-known topic among the nobles.

The second princess was a dazzling blonde beauty known for her quiet personality. That she had actively pursued someone was an astonishing event that quickly became a topic of discussion.

And the nobles naturally thought that Evan would accept the courtship of the princess. However, Evan politely declined the proposal, and the story circulated once again among the nobles, creating a buzz.

Watching and hearing about these events, Riett had no choice but to acknowledge one fact: Evan had grown into a splendid young man worthy of receiving the affection of the shy princess.

His cute and boyish features had transformed into a strong nose and sharp eyes. As he grew up, Evan became a handsome man whom people would turn around to look at on the streets. Despite his somewhat aloof appearance, his gentle manner of speaking and smiling expression made up for it.

Moreover, he had grown significantly taller compared to Riett, with at least a palm’s difference, and his body had become robust thanks to his long practice in swordsmanship.

‘Well, he’s still Evan, though.’

Of course, he was nothing more or less than a detestable rival to Riett.

“Aren’t you too hasty in judging, Evan?”

Hail asked with a worried voice. Riett answered in place of Evan,

“Leave him alone, mister. Evan will handle it himself.”

With her head bowed, she absentmindedly pushed the vegetables on her plate to the edge.

“……”

“……”

The dining room fell silent. Sensing the strangeness, when Riett looked up, both Hail and Evan’s gazes were fixed on her. Evan, in particular, seemed slightly surprised.

“….Did I say something wrong?”

Riett asked with a bewildered face, and Hail cleared his throat and spoke in her place.

“Riett, by any chance…”

“Yes?”

“Is it because you don’t want Evan to marry someone else……?!”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Riett became momentarily speechless. She hadn’t intended to defend Evan. He was already destined to be the partner of the princess.

She had spoken like that because there was no need to unnecessarily drain her strength. But why was this old man getting so excited?

Unable to bring up the topic of the princess, Riett casually brushed off the conversation as usual.

“No, it’s because she’s not good enough to marry Evan!”

“Ah, I see…”

Hail visibly deflated. Evan simply let out a sigh. Somehow, to break the subdued atmosphere, Riett deliberately raised her voice.

“Speaking of marriage, do you remember that incident from the past?”

Hail looked at Riett as if asking what she meant.

“When Evan confessed to me!”

Riett couldn’t forget that incident. At the time, she was astonished, but she couldn’t deny how satisfying it was to have a dark secret to tease Evan with. So, even now, she could talk about it with a smile.

“What would you have done if I had accepted your confession back then?”

Even with Riett’s mischievous words, Evan remained expressionless.

‘Not funny, anyway.’

There was no mocking flavor to it. It was more of a snide remark.

“I would have married you.”

But the answer came back calm and unemotional. It was Riett who was taken aback.

It wasn’t like she predicted this situation and brought up the topic, but why does the atmosphere keep getting uncomfortable, right?

Even the gentleman awkwardly got up from his seat.

“You guys keep talking amongst yourselves. I think I spilled food on my clothes, so I need to go to the restroom.”

“What……? You didn’t get anything on…….”

However, before Riett could say anything, he quickly disappeared.

When they were alone, Evan stared at Riett intently.

“What do you think it would be like if Riett married me?”

“Why would we even consider such a thing!”

In response to the abrupt question, Riett shouted as if it was something horrifying. A smile formed on Evan’s face, which had been expressionless until then.

“Well… I don’t think it would be so bad.”

Riett’s eyebrows furrowed uncontrollably.

“Haven’t you had too much to drink?”

Although Riett had seen him drinking wine earlier, he was usually someone who didn’t get drunk easily.

But only when he’s not drunk would he say something like that.

“Well, then I’d get to see Riett’s angry face every day. Don’t you know, Riett? Your eyes turn red when you’re mad.”

Well, that’s true. He was teasing her again.

Riett narrowed her eyes and glared at Evan.

“You perverted jerk.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

At Evan’s fox-like remark, Riett stuck out her tongue.

‘He used to be so nice when we were kids. Why did he change like this?’

There must have been some trigger. Riett had witnessed Evan’s growth process, so she couldn’t be unaware.

As Riett pondered deeply, something crossed her mind.

‘Oh, was it back then?’

She couldn’t quite grasp the reason behind his change in personality, but she remembered when it began.

It was right before they entered the noble school.