CH 58

Is it just nonsense to talk about this situation with blind eyes and a grunt? 

It was a meaningless vote. Evan, with close to 90% of the supporting votes, was elected as a nobleman.

“Well then, I’ll take my leave now.”

After the vote, following the conclusion of the dinner, Riett bowed deeply to the Emperor. Then she took the hand of Duke Marren, who seemed exhausted and disappeared.

Similarly, after offering his greetings, Evan tried to leave his seat with Duke Kreutz, but the Emperor held onto Evan.

“Mr. Evan.”

Evan and Duke Kreutz stopped and turned around.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I would like to have a private conversation with you for a moment. Is that alright?”

Evan looked at Duke Kreutz, seeking permission as requested by the Emperor, and the Duke nodded.

When Duke Kreutz left first, Evan approached the Emperor.

“What is the matter?”

“I am curious about the relationship between you and Lady Riett.”

The Emperor leaned back in his chair, and his previously stiff posture seemed to relax. It appeared as though he let go of the dignity he maintained throughout the dinner.

“What specifically are you curious about?”

“To be honest, I had high expectations of you until just before the dinner. Your father, Duke Kreutz, is the only person I trust.”

Although he had made efforts to maintain neutrality, it was a well-known fact that the Emperor trusted Duke Kreutz.

The Emperor suddenly looked towards the seat where Riett had been sitting.

“So, it was unexpected. The daughter of Duke Marren made a move against Marquis Callian.”

“Riett is an exceptional talent concealed by gender.”

Evan replied with a faint smile. The Emperor, who looked at him with a sense of wonder, asked further.

“On another note, what is the relationship between you and Lady Riett?”

The Emperor’s knowledge was limited to the fact that the fathers of the two, Duke Kreutz and Duke Marren, had a close relationship. However, the sight of the two helping each other throughout the dinner piqued his curiosity.

Even now.

Despite the Emperor’s attention being drawn to someone other than himself, Evan did not feel any anger or jealousy.

“For now, let’s say we are rivals.”

For now… 

A peculiar answer that didn’t satisfy the Emperor, but he stopped his curiosity, thinking that it was not the right time to pursue it further. They needed to get to the main point.

“I am indebted to Lady Riett today.”

He didn’t show it, but his heart had been racing throughout the dinner. He had fervently wished for Marquis Callian’s downfall. How delighted he had been when he heard the news that Duke Marren had captured Marquis Callian’s tail. And when he learned that Duke Marren had been counterattacked, he couldn’t hide his disappointment.

‘I can hardly believe it now.’ 

The meeting he attended with no expectations turned out to be the Marquis’ last.

“It’s hard to evaluate Lady Riett based on just one event today. What do you think?”

The reason the Emperor asked Evan this question was to hear his opinion on Riett and also to test Evan.

Evan seemed lost in thought for a moment as if he were deeply contemplating. Then suddenly, he noticed a red rose in the center of the table.

“Someone compared her to a red rose earlier.”

Following Evan’s gaze, the Emperor looked at the red rose. The fully bloomed rose exuded beauty.

Well, comparing a woman to a flower is a common thing, but it didn’t quite suit Riett Marren. She was certainly a beauty that men would desire, but she possessed a delicate and haughty charm that was completely different from her elegant and proud demeanor. 

“While one could say that her red hair and eyes resemble a rose, I think differently.”

Evan reached out his hand and gently touched the stem of a rose. 

“I believe she would be better suited to something like…,” 

He exerted a little force, and the stem snapped weakly. 

“A person who shines brighter with a fiery passion. Not a fragile flower like this.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. 

“Fiery?”

Evan placed the two broken roses on the table. Then he looked up, meeting the Emperor’s gaze. 

“Fire can be a tremendous weapon when wielded properly, but if not, it remains a threatening presence.” 

The bold statement made the Emperor ponder. 

‘Indeed, he is the son of Duke Kreutz.’ 

Although it was the first time he had a direct conversation with the Emperor, he didn’t feel nervous at all. Moreover, he conveyed his thoughts clearly without being impolite. 

The Emperor observed Evan, who appeared more composed and confident than anyone else. 

“I dare to be certain. Just as fire gave humanity an opportunity, Riett will become a light for many people.” 

A faint smile graced Evan’s lips, yet his black eyes were more serious than ever. 

“To handle her like fire, wouldn’t it be of great help to Your Majesty to trust her?”

It was an unbiased assessment, devoid of sentimental emotions, and rational advice. Even though it came from a young nobleman, the color of authority was not unpleasant. Instead, the Emperor felt satisfied, as if he had gained a valuable pawn. 

“You will be responsible for those words.”

Evan nodded with a smile, taking the gentle reprimand lightly. 

“Of course.”

The Emperor realized through their brief conversation that Evan and Riett were individuals of completely different natures. And in a different sense, he liked Evan for that. If Riett was an energetic and audacious general, then Evan was a sharp-witted and intelligent strategist. 

‘Good talents have come.’

The Emperor made up his mind to propose something. 

“I have a suggestion for you.”

“Please tell me.”

Evan’s serious appearance gained even more trust. 

“It is embarrassing to say, but ever since my late father, the previous Emperor, passed away, I have been under the watchful eyes of the conservative nobles for a long time.”

He inherited the throne unprepared. His father, the previous Emperor, was not only exiled for committing more crimes than anyone knew, but Marquis Callian played a significant role in his downfall. 

The Emperor had always feared the Marquis and all the noble members knew that. 

“It was utterly pathetic.”

For a moment, even self-pity found solace in the Emperor’s gaze. 

“I will do my best not to commit the same mistakes.”

There was something the Emperor had to do. 

As the famine and riots among the commoners grew worse, the country was descending into chaos. To rectify the situation, he needed to strengthen the weakened imperial authority and carry out the tax reforms that had been delayed due to the fear of the nobles. 

Therefore, he couldn’t afford to miss this stroke of luck that had befallen him like a bolt from the blue.

“Evan.”

“Yes?”

“I hope you become a conservative faction person.”

Evan’s movement came to a halt at the unexpected proposition.

The emperor understood Evan’s attitude very well. The Kreutz family had been associated with the Progressive faction for a long time, and Duke Kreutz was the leader of the Progressive. It would be quite bewildering.

However, if it was possible to have someone from the conservative faction, it would be a tremendous advantage, so he made this proposition even if it was a stretch.

“…Are you asking me to play the role of a spy?”

“It may be sudden, but I thought you would accept this proposition.”

Evan seemed to hesitate for a moment and nodded his head.

“Understood.”

“…Is that all?”

Surprisingly, it was the emperor who was taken aback. He expected more questions, but Evan accepted too easily.

“Because it is Your Majesty’s will.”

He knew people of this kind. They never trust or believe others easily, even if they are the emperor or family.

Seeing someone like that readily accepting, it meant that he had his thoughts.

But it didn’t matter. In any case, Evan was the son of Duke Kreutz, making him a safe individual who would not betray him.

Although he would initially be suspected as a spy by the conservative faction, judging by his current appearance, he seemed capable of quickly dispelling such suspicions.

“Thank you for accepting.”

The emperor couldn’t hide his satisfied expression as he achieved his goal.

“If you have nothing else to say, I will take my leave.”

“As you wish.”

Evan stood up from his seat, courteously bid farewell, and left the noble’s chamber.

The emperor raised his wine glass, alone in the room, thinking about the two newcomers who appeared like comets, and made a toast.

* * *

“…There was a time like that.”

Riett’s expression became nostalgic as she suddenly remembered the moment of her debut as a noble.

“Are you daydreaming in front of someone?”

Evan stroked Riett’s head, which was hanging down with a perplexed expression.

“What could be on your mind that would make you jealous.”

“What jealousy?”

Riett swatted Evan’s hand away.

“Don’t think about other things in front of me. It makes me want to bother you more.”

“Are you a pervert…?”

“That’s how Riett only thinks about me.”

Anyway, he seemed to enjoy tormenting her. Riett sighed and looked at Evan.

“By the way, you said you’re going to the Aplen Temple this time.”

Visiting the Aplen Temple, it suddenly felt like a lot of time had passed. The time had come for Evan to meet the female lead.

‘Well, it’s just the meeting of the male and female leads, so it must still be the early part of the original story.’

Anyway, it was something to celebrate. The occasions to see this annoying guy would significantly decrease now.

‘But why does it feel so empty inside?’

It was a strange sensation. It might be because they had spent a lot of time together since childhood.

“It will take about a month.”

“Have a safe trip.”

Since there was going to be a fateful encounter there, a month would feel short. Riett kept the fact known only to herself hidden deep inside.

“Behave yourself while I’m away.”

“I’m not a child!”

Riett growled. However, his eyes, which she expected to be playful, were unexpectedly serious. Taken aback by this unexpected reaction, Riett paused.

“What’s wrong? Why are you like that?”

“It’s nothing.”

But then, as if on cue, Evan smiled. Seeing his usual demeanor, Riett pouted, thinking that she had worried unnecessarily.

Evan sat across from Riett and asked, 

“Is the reconstruction of the canal you were in charge of going well?”

“…No.”

The current problem that she had momentarily forgotten came rushing back to her mind. She couldn’t focus on her work because of the false rumors that she was a spy for the Haren Empire.

“Damn it!”

As she was about to explode with anger again, Riett opened the window and looked outside. At that moment, some fresh-faced young ladies passed by, bursting into laughter.

Riett, who had been silently watching the scene, murmured to herself.

“By the way, it’s almost debutante season.”

“Yeah, it is.”

Evan, who was also looking outside, smirked and reached out to touch Riett’s head, tilting her head slightly.

“…Why are you getting closer?”

“Because it’s debutante season, it reminds me of your debutante season.”

Riett furrowed her eyebrows.

“My debutante season?”

“Don’t you remember anything?”

“Well…”

There should only be one or two memorable things from that day.

No, besides that. Can he just back off a bit?

As Riett was about to complain, Evan spoke first.

“I do.”

“…What?”

Evan smirked and looked at Riett.

“Riett, you took my first kiss that day, remember?”