CH 8

As expected, it rained heavily on their way back home yesterday. Thanks to their haste, they didn’t get too wet, but the sudden downpour that started abruptly was still ongoing today. 

The sound of raindrops tapping against the window woke Riett up early. She didn’t like rainy days. Her curly hair tended to become even more unruly in the damp weather, which made her more frustrated. 

‘Anyway, I’ll be tying my hair up, so it doesn’t matter.’

Today was the day of Duke Kreutz’s birthday party. It was also one of the few days when Riett meticulously prepared herself from head to toe. 

She had to be dragged around by her mother all day, changing clothes like a doll. These days were much more exhausting for Riett than the days she rode a horse and practiced swordsmanship. 

‘Oh, right, the birthday present.’ 

The day before yesterday, she visited the flower market and bought the freshest and most blooming dahlia. 

Riett looked at the red dahlia in the vase. 

“I don’t know… Sometimes when I see my father, I wonder if he truly loved my mother.”

Looking at the flower, she couldn’t help but think about what Even had said. Even though Even didn’t dislike his Father, Riett knew that if things continued like this, they might irreversibly drift apart. 

Evan didn’t care about what happened, but the old man was different. How painful would it be for him to be misunderstood by his only child because of some absurd rumors? 

‘Evan, you bad child.’ 

As Riett rested her chin on her hand and thought of Evan, she suddenly stopped. Come to think of it, he said something strange before they parted ways yesterday. 

“Riett.” 

She turned around at the softly calling voice. Evan’s eyes were fixed on Riett. 

“I have something to tell you after the party tomorrow.” 

“What is it? Tell me now.” 

Riett was generally impatient. She couldn’t wait until she was curious. 

“No, not now.” 

Evan’s firm answer made Riett even more curious. However, she knew that no matter how much she pried, Evan wouldn’t open his mouth when he said it like that. 

“It’s nothing important, just wait and see.” 

Normally, Evan would have smiled and given a playful answer, but not this time. 

“It’s nothing significant.” 

His voice carried tension and seriousness.

Riett was momentarily surprised by Evan’s appearance, which was different from usual, but quickly regained her composure and replied, 

“Sure, I’ll look forward to it.” 

Despite her curiosity, she tried to restrain herself. Riett waved her hand and bid farewell to Evan.

At that moment, she heard a knocking sound from outside the door. 

“Riett, are you awake?” 

It was the voice of Lady Marren, and Riett opened the door. Behind Lady Marren stood the maids, lined up one by one, each holding a splendid dress in their hands. 

Riett lowered her head at the sight. 

‘Ah, here we go.’

* * *

Lady Marren, Riett’s mother, was a person opposite to Riett. 

Lady Marren, who grew like a greenhouse flower, enjoyed grooming herself. She had strategically married Duke Marren at an early age. That’s why whenever Lady Marren saw Riett, she felt sorry as if she were looking at an untamed wildflower. 

“If only she would put a little effort, she would be as beautiful as an angel.” 

However, because she loved her daughter, Lady Marren made an effort to understand Riett’s tomboyish appearance. But on the days of the parties, it was an exception.

Normally, Riett couldn’t touch her hair or clothes without receiving disapproving looks from Lady Marren, but today was different because there was a justified reason. 

Lady Marren looked at Riett with an ominous smile. Riett already had a bored expression, but Lady Marren had no intention of giving in. 

“Begin.”

As Lady Marren gestured, the maids lined up in a neat row. 

“Mother… Do we have to go to this extent every time?” 

“What are you saying, Riett? I’ve prepared just twenty outfits for today.” 

Lady Marren emphasized that she had reduced the number of outfits by three compared to the previous party.

Only then did Riett realize that she had no choice but to compromise and obediently started changing into the dresses. 

“The color is too bright.” 

“It doesn’t suit your red hair.” 

“Your shoulders are too exposed.” 

Under Lady Marren’s sharp guidance, Riett successfully chose the perfect dress. Next was her hair, but fortunately, it didn’t take long to complete. The experienced maid quickly and skillfully styled Riett’s hair beautifully. 

“Let’s finish with this.” 

Like decorating the grand finale, Lady Marren took out a radiant emerald necklace from the jewelry box. 

“You’ve grown enough to enter noble school, so this should be fine.” 

Riett looked at the expensive-looking green necklace. 

‘I feel like I’ve seen a necklace of this color before… Where was it?’

For a moment, a familiar feeling passed through her mind. She couldn’t remember because it was an old memory, but the unique shape must have left an impression on her. 

There were gaudy and expensive-looking jewels embedded in it. 

‘Oh!’ 

As she pondered, Riett remembered the ugly necklace she’d found in the closet the day she’d played hide-and-seek at Duke Kreutz’s mansion. It was such a long time ago that she would have forgotten it, but its unusual shape must have stuck in her mind.

It had very tacky, expensive-looking jewelry on it.

‘Since that room was Evan’s mother’s room, I wonder if the necklace belonged to his mother.’

Behind Riett, lost in thought, she heard Lady Marren’s astonished voice. 

“It’s perfect!” 

Riett followed Lady Marren and stood in front of the mirror. 

The reflection in the mirror was a completely different person from the usual Riett in a shirt and pants. Her usually curly hair was neatly done up, exuding elegance, and beneath it, the blue dress with a bell line contrasted with her red hair. 

Finally, when the emerald necklace, like a fiery dragon’s eyes, settled on her beautiful neckline, it became a luxurious accent. 

“Whose daughter is so beautiful?” 

Awkwardly, Riett smiled at Lady Marren’s admiration. The clothes and extravagant accessories were incredibly uncomfortable to move in, but today, she had decided to become her mother’s doll. 

“Shall we go now?” 

“Yes.”

Riett wrapped the delicate dahlia flower, which had been in a vase, in fine fabric and tied it with a ribbon. Holding it dearly in her arms, she headed towards Duke Kreutz’s mansion. 

As she arrived, the duke’s residence seemed already bustling with activity. 

Riett had learned as she grew up that Duke Kreutz’s was a truly renowned and influential person, known for his outstanding character and remarkable strategic prowess. Many people admired him and he held significant political influence. 

It was his birthday party, and anyone who was anyone would gather for such an occasion.

‘Once again, they went all out.’ 

Riett glanced at the lavishly decorated hall of the mansion and felt a sense of unfamiliarity. The hall was only adorned like this twice a year—for the Count’s birthday and Evan’s birthday. 

Duke Kreutz’s, contrary to his status as the Empire’s most popular figure, wasn’t particularly fond of parties. He would rather enjoy quietly reading a book. That’s why Riett liked Duke Kreutz’s even more.

“Riett.” 

A voice called from behind, causing Riett to turn her head. There stood Evan, shimmering more than usual today.

With neatly combed black hair and well-fitted formal attire, he looked quite handsome. 

‘Well, it’s still Evan, though,’

Riett thought to herself, pouting slightly as her eyes met his. His eyes were slightly squinted.

“You look beautiful today,”

Riett blinked her eyes. The words “You look beautiful” slowly registered in her mind. 

‘What, what is he saying…?’

Evan had never said such words before. They had been close like siblings, so there was no opportunity for him to say something like that. It felt as if goosebumps were crawling up her arms, just like when a beloved girl heard such words.

“But I still prefer Riett in a shirt and pants.”

“I’m not dressing up for you!” 

Fortunately, Riett quickly snapped out of her confusion.

“What’s with that flower?” 

Evan asked, looking at the dahlia in Riett’s arms.

“A gift for the Duke.”

“I see, a dahlia.”

“You didn’t prepare anything, did you?”

Riett’s question made Evan nod his head. 

“No, I don’t even know what Father likes.”

His indifferent response made Riett burst into a bitter laugh. 

“Do you think I made that sculpture of your father’s face last year, thinking he would like it?”

“That… was Father?”

Evan asked with a surprised expression. It was frustrating, but she understood. Even the recipient of the gift thought that sculpture was of Evan’s face.

“That’s not the important part! What matters in a gift is love and sincerity.”

“…”

“Even if you give your father a pebble you found on the roadside, he would appreciate it.”

Evan remained silent in response to Riett’s words.

“Never mind, do as you please. Just don’t keep saying you’re a filial son. Ultimately, the parties and the issues that arise from them are the responsibility of the individuals involved.”

“Riett, do you remember what I said yesterday?”

“Oh, the thing you said you had to tell me?”

As Evan asked, Riett immediately remembered. She had been curious about it.

“What do you want to say? You said you would tell me today.”

“Not now.”

Evan’s eyes flickered for a moment, appearing somewhat tense even with just the mention of it.

“When the party is over and it gets quiet, then I’ll talk.”

What could he possibly want to say that he’s hesitating so much?

She already knew it was something significant because they had never had such a serious conversation before, but it didn’t make her feel any better seeing Evan agonize over it.

‘No, let’s not ruin a good day with a bad impression.’

Riett refreshed her frustrated mind, thinking of the man.

By the way, the main character, the man, is going to be very late.

“When is the man coming?”

“I don’t know either. He’s been coming in late ever since I haven’t been able to see him much either.”

“I see. He’ll come if we wait.”

Riett looked at her parents who were talking with the guests and went to sit in a corner.

Her new shoes were uncomfortable after a long time of wearing them.

Soon, Evan followed and sat next to her.

“Aren’t you supposed to be a guest?”

“I’m not a guest, so what?”

With Evan’s words, silence filled the air.

Tick-tock, the clock continued to tick, but the man didn’t seem to have any intention of showing up.

Restless, Riett stood up from her seat.

“Could something have happened to the man?”

“I’ll ask the butler. Maybe he heard something.”

It seemed that anxiety was not only felt by her. Evan, who had been calm so far, quickly got up from his seat.

And just as he was about to leave the hall,

“Evan! You’re here!”

An unfamiliar man opened the door and came in.

Evan approached the sudden intruder.

“Uncle…?”

Uncle? Then, does that mean that person is the duke’s brother, ‘Haart,’ as her mother said?

He was a person with a faint impression, just as her mother had described.

There was hardly any resemblance to the man, making it hard to believe they were brothers.

“Oh… Poor Evan.”

Haart hugged Evan, tears streaming down his face. But Evan pushed him away.

“Is there something wrong with Father?”

Thump-thump.

Riett’s heart, sensing unease, started beating faster.

It was definitely a bad sign.

‘Could it be that he had an accident? He didn’t get seriously injured, did he?’

Terrifying thoughts floated in her mind.

“Haah.”

Before revealing the truth, Haart let out a deep sigh.

“Don’t be shocked, Evan.”

“….”

“Your father, Duke Kreutz, is currently… accused of murdering his wife.”

The dahlia flower that Riett was holding slipped and fell to the ground with a thud.