Chapter 60: CH 60

“His Majesty, the Emperor!”

Riett’s eyes widened.

‘That’s quite a person.’

“…Is that true?”

“Yes! Moreover, His Majesty the Emperor expressed his desire to attend first…”

The nobles occasionally attended noble parties, but it was rare for the Emperor to make an appearance.

‘He has never attended a debutante ball like mine, especially at such a young age.’

Riett felt bewildered rather than pleased by the Emperor’s special treatment.

‘Although it is true that he owes me a debt…’

By providing an opportunity to punish those who were like thorns on the Emperor’s side, in a way, the Emperor owed her a debt.

But appearing in such a private setting was a different story altogether.

Attending a private gathering was, in a sense, a display of familiarity with that person. It was also a direct way to distinguish one’s influence.

“It seems that His Majesty the Emperor is truly taking action.”

Her mother wasn’t deeply involved in politics, but she understood the basics.

Until now, the Emperor had desired reform but had not actively intervened in factional struggles. He had remained inside the cave, watching from within until the progressives gained the upper hand.

According to her mother’s words, his attendance at her debutante ball meant that he would genuinely support the progressives.

It was the Emperor’s first step in leaving behind his long life in the cave and venturing outside.

‘And it’s my debutante ball.’

It’s still hard to believe.

Just a while ago, Riett had struggled to achieve high grades among the noble schoolchildren, but now she had formed friendships with the Emperor and even with those who were not his friends.

Riett wasn’t the only one who thought this way. Amidst her thoughts, she heard her mother’s voice, filled with emotion.

“It’s truly amazing. Our daughter has gained the Emperor’s trust.”

Encouraged by her mother’s praise, Riett blushed and gently touched her forehead.

“But it’s not official trust yet.”

Her mother slowly raised her head.

“Riett, I’ve been thinking this lately when I see you.”

Riett sensed a bittersweet feeling beyond her mother’s gentle laughter.

“I might have always set limits for myself and only acted within them.”

“…”

“That’s why whenever I see you achieving more than I imagined, I feel a tinge of regret for my youth.”

Riett firmly replied to her melancholic words.

“I don’t think that way at all.”

Her crimson eyes seemed to reject the notion entirely.

“The mother I’ve seen has always done her best in everything.”

It’s not just about making a lot of money and accumulating power that others admire. It’s also a great achievement to maintain a peaceful and well-managed home, a sanctuary for the family. If her father was the economic support, her mother was the emotional pillar that kept the household harmonious.

“I could pursue what I wanted within the peaceful household, all thanks to you, Mother.”

There were many things she wanted to say, but she believed that her feelings would be conveyed with these words alone.

And it seemed her thoughts had been conveyed as the fog gradually lifted from her mother’s face.

Riett’s mother soon gently kissed her head with her usual loving smile.

“Having a daughter who says such things might be my greatest achievement after all.”

Her mother said, wearing a smile that seemed bittersweet as if asking when she had ever been sad. “Anyway, Riett.”

The Duchess firmly grasped Riett’s hand.

“As it is our beautiful daughter’s debutante ball, and even the Emperor will be attending, we will hold a grand party. So, get excited.”

Riett, who was immersed in her emotions, snapped back to reality.

“A grand party, you say…?”

In other words…

“Since the Emperor himself is coming, you’ll need to try on at least 50 dresses to make the right choice, won’t you?”

“Yes…?”

Isn’t that a lie…? While the Duchess laughed merrily, Riett’s pupils trembled as if in shock.

* * *

“Evan.”

“Yes?”

“Could you wear them instead?”

Riett muttered absentmindedly, and Evan, who was organizing books, stopped and turned around. “What?”

“Dresses.”

It happened just yesterday. The shocking rumor that the Emperor himself would attend the debutante ball had swept through the noble circles, causing chaos in the costume and fabric stores as well. They wanted the main character of the extravagant party to wear their products.

As a result, far more dresses and accessories arrived at the mansion than Riett had anticipated.

First, she had to try on dozens of dresses that had been pre-selected. Then the dresses that passed were altered to fit Riett’s body.

‘The accessories and shoes are also prepared.’

After the altered clothes were tried on, suitable accessories and shoes had to be chosen. Only then would the party preparations be complete.

She had just finished pre-selecting the dresses, and it felt like she would die from exhaustion.

‘I’d rather practice swordsmanship all day.’

Although she wanted to complain, seeing her mother’s joyful expression like a child, she couldn’t say a word.

“So? Could you wear them instead, Evan?”

She could only express her frustrations and grumble to Evan, saying something unreasonable.

“Well, I don’t know if your dress will fit me.”

He replied with an air of nonchalance. Riett pouted at his playful response.

“Anyway, you’re the protagonist of that day, Riett. You don’t have to worry too much about it. It seems the Duchess is unnecessarily pressuring herself.”

“She has a purpose this time.”

Riett crossed her arms and looked out the window.

“Purpose?”

A pair of birds chirped and flew away beyond the window.

“She said her purpose is to find a partner for me on the debutante ball.”

Riett had only recently learned about it. She never expected such an agenda hidden behind the glamorous dresses.

On the day of dress fittings, the Duchess approached Riett, who was slumped on the sofa, with a worried expression on her face.

“Riett, I know it’s difficult, but please understand this time.”

This time? She thought it was every time…….

“On the day of the debutante ball, you should stand out the most.”

“…Why?”

Lady Marren raised her index finger and spoke with a determined expression.

“Because you will find your partner that day!”

Upon hearing her mother’s plan, Riett felt her exhaustion intensify.

“Riett should know, finding a prospective groom on the debutante ball is the best option.”

“I know, but…”

The debutante ball was a day when noble young ladies who had become adults took center stage. As it was a day of great attention, the chances of finding a suitable partner were high.

Many nobles who were interested in noble young ladies eagerly awaited their debutante balls. However, Riett was not mentally prepared to find a partner.

“If you’re not going to marry Evan, you should find someone quickly.”

Riett snapped at her mother’s taunt.

“Why bring up Evan all of a sudden?”

The Duchess spoke with a disappointed tone.

“Until recently, I thought you and Evan were going to get married.”

“Where did you even get that idea?”

They were always bickering whenever they met.

“Even bickering requires affection. Both of you are willing to stand up for each other when something happens.”

Did she… behave that way…? Riett had to reflect on her actions. Come to think of it, whenever she was in a crisis, Evan seemed to magically appear.

It was a strange psychology, but she couldn’t bear to see anyone else insult Evan.

‘I’m the only one allowed to insult Evan!’

Lost in her thoughts for a moment, Lady Marren reiterated her opinion.

“Anyway, if you don’t consider Evan as a prospective groom, you should find another partner quickly.”

That’s why her mother became more obsessed and made an effort to choose the perfect dress. Thinking back to the shocking conversation with her mother, Riett covered her face in exhaustion. “Riett.”

Evan closed the book he was holding with a loud thud and approached Riett from the opposite side. “Do you remember that you agreed to grant me a request?”

A request? Riett looked at Evan with a blank expression, unable to remember anything.

“During the student council election, you agreed to grant me a request in return for being your partner.”

“Ah…!”

She had to continue pretending not to know, but her honest reaction immediately showed on her face.

“So, you want to be partners now?”

“I have a condition. When I want to, fulfill one request for me.”

Why does he have such a good memory for unnecessary things? Evan’s words came to her mind exactly as he said them.

“So, what’s the request?”

“On Riett’s debutante ball, dance only with me.”

Evan smiled brightly. It was an easy yet difficult request. At the debutante ball, it’s customary for the protagonist of the day to dance with noble gentlemen who show interest in them. During the dance, the gentlemen must capture the hearts of the ladies to be chosen.

But if she only dances with Evan, it means all the other gentlemen lose their chance.

“Can I refuse?”

“No, you can’t.”

Evan was smiling as usual, but his unwavering answer was firm.

“You promised to grant me the favor, didn’t you?”

“…That’s true.”

Her mother won’t be pleased. She already has many worries because of the nobles who misunderstand the relationship between Evan and her.

Riett raised her head and looked at Evan.

“But why are you making such a request?”

No matter how she thinks about it, it seems like a favor that doesn’t benefit Evan.

“I thought we could practice the dance for that day.”

“Why do we have to practice your dance on my debutante ball!”

Riett snapped, and Evan placed a finger on his lips, signaling her to be quiet.

“You don’t need to worry. It’s a good proposal for you too, Riett.”

“What makes you think it’s a good proposal for me…?”

Riett mumbled as if she thought it was absurd, then stopped speaking as she remembered an important fact she had forgotten.