CH 27

Ah, that darn ghost-like guy. How on earth does he not trip over things here?

Riett looked at Evan with a disgruntled face.

“What do you care?”

“In three minutes, you’ve stomped your foot fifteen times, and you’ve dropped five things around you. Of them, three are broken or damaged.”

“….”

“You’re trying to break everything in our house, so I do care.”

Riett finally looked around.

Objects around them were scattered on the floor as if a whirlwind had passed through. As Evan had said, the desk lamp was shattered on the floor, and the open book had pages torn as if someone had stepped on it.

But more importantly, Riett didn’t even realize that she had stepped on the man’s foot fifteen times out of sheer distraction.

Riett lowered her head.

“I’m sorry, mister.”

“No, Riett. I expected it to some extent.”

He expected it…?

And did she exceed those expectations…?

Evan approached Riett, who was shocked.

“Dance with me.”

“….”

“I won’t get stepped on.”

Riett laughed incredulously at his serious tone.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Give it a try.”

“I don’t want to.”

“Or should we make a bet?”

The mention of a bet piqued Riett’s interest.

“…What kind of bet?”

Evan’s lips curved into a smile, looking pleasing to the eye.

“If I don’t get stepped on once during the entirety of one song, you partner with me.”

“And if I do step on you?”

“Then I’ll grant you one thing you desire.”

Anything she desires…?

Riett’s expression became intrigued. There was already something among Evan’s belongings that caught their attention.

Recently, Evan purchased a sword. It was slightly larger than a regular dagger, agile in appearance, and looked splendid, perfectly fitting Riett’s taste.

She had once asked her father to get her the same one, but after the incident with Samuel being injured by a sword, all she heard was her father’s nagging to stay away from swords.

Riett nodded.

“Okay, I accept the bet.”

Now that it had come to this, she would pretend to accidentally step on Evan’s foot somehow.

Dance practice was no longer a concern for Riett.

“I think we’ll need a slightly larger space.”

Riett looked around the chaotic study of the mansion and spoke. Since it seemed like it would be a fierce battle, they needed a place where they could minimize damage.

“What about my room?”

“Sure.”

Evan’s room was slightly larger than the study. Moreover, to avoid showing their terrible dancing skills to anyone, it couldn’t be the drawing room or the hall, it had to be a discreet place. Evan’s room was suitable, just as he had said.

Riett and Evan moved to the room, just the two of them.

She considered asking the old man for judgment, but he seemed to be engrossed in reading books about spirit stones, so he stayed in the study. 

Riett entered Evan’s room with a thud. Come to think of it, it had been a while since she entered this guy’s room. When she realized that fact, she felt a sense of unease for no reason, but quickly shook it off. 

‘Why am I getting sentimental?’ 

Just as she was brushing off the awkward feeling, Evan politely extended his hand. 

“Shall we start?” 

“Sure.” 

Riett took Evan’s hand. The temperature of their joined hands was slightly warm. As the music started playing, Evan skillfully escorted Riett. It was different from earlier with the old man. 

If the old man felt somewhat rigid, Evan moved gracefully and smoothly. 

“Now, we’ll turn to the right.” 

Evan whispered. Riett swallowed nervously. It was a perfect opportunity. She would pretend to make a mistake and step on Evan’s foot. 

Evan held Riett’s hand and lifted it. As Riett turned around, preparing to land— 

Thud— 

…she attempted to step on Evan’s foot but he quickly evaded it. And so, several more attempts followed. 

Towards the latter half, it became a showdown between someone trying to step on the foot and someone trying to avoid it. What a sneaky dodge.

The music was nearing its end. Anxious, Riett stretched her foot out recklessly. But soon, she realized her movement was incorrect. 

“Uh, uh!” 

Riett lost her balance and stumbled towards Evan. Luckily, she didn’t hit the floor. Evan had caught Riett before they fell. Looking at Evan beneath her, Riett hurriedly asked, 

“Evan, are you okay?” 

Thump, she could hear Evan’s heart racing rapidly. It seemed that the abnormally fast heartbeat had startled him. 

“….a little…” 

“Are you hurt?!” 

“No…” 

“Then what is it?”

Riett quickly scanned Evan’s body, searching for any injuries. 

“Get yourself…….”

Evan spoke, covering his face with his arm. His cheek beneath the gap between his arms was red. 

“What?” 

“….your body is too close.” 

It was only then that Riett realized she was not just lying comfortably on top of Evan’s body but tightly pressed against it. 

“Ah, I’m sorry!”

Riett quickly got up. As she did, Evan slowly stood up as well. His face was still flushed. 

Seeing his cheeks still red up to his ears, it seemed like he was quite angry. 

“I’ll leave now.” 

A stern voice flowed out as if the expectations had been met. This time, Riett was the culprit. 

She had gone too far, driven by her infatuation with Evan’s sword. 

Evan didn’t seem to want to make eye contact and was looking elsewhere, while Riett couldn’t even offer a greeting and quickly left the room.

* * *

The next day when Riett went to school, there was a lot of buzz about the dance party.

“Riett, have you found a partner?”

As soon as Lucas saw Riett, he asked. As if she didn’t have a headache because of that problem already.

Since she lost in the bet with Evan yesterday, it would be appropriate for Evan to be her partner. However, judging by his last reaction, it was clear that he didn’t want to do it with her.

So she has to find a new partner, but she doesn’t want to reveal her dancing skills to someone she doesn’t know at all.

“If you haven’t found one yet, let’s do it together.”

“I already said I won’t do it with you.”

“Then who are you going to do it with?”

This guy is more persistent than she thought. Sometimes he reminds her of Evan with his blond hair.

“Well, I’ll have to look for someone now.”

Riett casually scanned the surroundings. But somehow, it seemed like she was making eye contact with many different people today.

“…What’s going on?”

“Well, everyone wants to be your dance partner.”

Lucas explained as if he could read Riett’s mind. Riett asked, surprised.

“With me?”

After causing trouble with Samuel and even hearing rumors that the boys would avoid her because they’re afraid she’ll tear them apart like a bear.

“Just ask someone to be your partner. Anyone would say yes, right?”

Lucas tucked Riett’s annoyed hair behind her ear.

“Riett really doesn’t care about what others think.”

Even with Lucas’ affectionate gesture, Riett squinted her eyes and looked around. Just then, Samuel was passing by. When Samuel and Riett made eye contact, Samuel stopped in his tracks.

Click.

When Riett moved her finger, Samuel was suddenly right in front of her.

“You called me, Riett?”

“Have you found a dance partner?”

“No…?”

Samuel scratched his head as he answered.

“How about dancing with me?”

When Riett asked, Samuel was visibly surprised.

“What?!”

“If you haven’t found a partner, let’s do it together.”

She asked to test Lucas’ claim that anyone would accept. With no suitable person in sight, Samuel wasn’t a bad choice.

However, surprisingly, Samuel couldn’t easily open his mouth.

“Do you not want to?”

“No, why would I! It’s just that… I, I can’t believe that I can… I had that thought.”

Samuel’s cheeks turned red.

At that moment, Lucas’ voice came from the side.

“Samuel.”

Samuel looked at Lucas, taken aback.

“Will you do it?”

As Lucas asked with a smile, Samuel’s face subtly hardened. The words Samuel said to Riett earlier came to her mind.

He had warned her to be careful with Lucas. He had seen him in Hemsworth’s back alley, and he seemed like a completely different person.

Although she had asked Lucas about it before, the topic had shifted and she couldn’t get a proper answer.

Unlike when Samuel faced Riett, Samuel asked with a serious tone.

“You… Did you go to the Hemsworth’s back alley the other day?”

Similarly, a smile disappeared from Lucas’ face when he received the question.

“You’re the one who said such things to Riett, huh?”

“Yeah, because I can’t have someone like you wandering around with Riett!”

Riett, who was quietly listening to the conversation, felt a tremendous contradiction. Samuel himself shamelessly going in and out of such places, but not Lucas.

She was about to say something, but she decided to keep quiet for now because she was curious about Lucas’ response.

Riett and Samuel’s gaze was fixed on Lucas.

“Hmm…”

Lucas ran his hand through his hair, looking perplexed.

“Well, actually, I have been there before.”

“See, I told you, Riett!”

Samuel looked excitedly at Riett. Riett’s eyes widened.

“Lucas, didn’t you ask me if I believed in those words?”

“Oh… well, I just thought I should tell the truth.”

Lucas averted his gaze as he spoke.

At Lucas’ reaction, it felt like he had forcibly revealed a hidden secret, and Riett felt a momentary pang of regret.

But it seemed that Samuel didn’t think so.

“As expected! He’s such a two-faced guy.”

“Why did you go there then?”

Ignoring Samuel’s words, Riett asked Lucas. She needed an explanation.

“I went to… get something.”

He abandoned his usual cheerful expression and nervously clasped his hands, a gesture that looked heartbreaking.

“All you can get there is something illegal!”

Samuel persisted stubbornly, seemingly indifferent to Lucas’ appearance.

Riett pinched Samuel’s side with her elbow.

“Ow-“

“Enough, stop asking.”

“But, Riett…”

Samuel brushed off Lucas, looking frustrated. Lucas raised his head and spoke.

“The item I was planning to get wasn’t legal, but it wasn’t meant to harm or threaten anyone.”

“….”

“I swear.”

Lucas’ earnest tone appealed to the truth. That should be enough.

“Okay, let’s stop talking about this.”

Riett turned her body to face Samuel.

“Are you going to be my partner or not? Say it.”

“Just a moment.”

Samuel took a deep breath, adjusted his clothes, cleared his throat, and then spoke.

“Of course, if Riett wants to…”

“Who asked you?”

At that moment, the back door of the classroom opened, and a familiar person walked in.

“Why are you here, Evan?”

“Up close, he’s incredibly good-looking.”

“Now I understand why the girls are chasing after him.”

The students buzzed with excitement at the appearance of a famous figure from school.

But Evan paid no attention and went straight to Riett.

When he looked at her with a questioning expression, his intense black eyes were visible.

“I thought I won the bet?”