CH 59

“Hufgh…!”

Riett coughed as if caught off guard by something, and Evan patted her back.

“What’s wrong, did you hear something you shouldn’t have?”

“It’s because of you! A k-kiss…! How could you say such inappropriate words…?”

When Riett’s cough subsided, Evan gently stroked her back.

“But it’s the truth.”

“How is that a kiss?”

Riett retorted with a blushing face as if remembering that day. Evan opened his eyes and asked, seemingly confused.

“Our lips touched, so why isn’t it a kiss?”

Silence. It seemed like Riett had nothing to say despite having a mouth. She reflected on her own mistake and recalled that day.

* * *

After the humiliation of Marquis Callian, many things happened.

First, Riett’s father announced his resignation from parliament and revealed his intention to pass on his title to Riett. Startled by the sudden news, Riett tried to dissuade Duke Marren, but he was resolute.

“Riett, through this incident, I reflected on the past and realized that I had shouldered a lot more responsibility than my abilities warranted.”

Duke Marren, freed from torment, calmly acknowledged his shortcomings.

“That’s why, after much contemplation, I made a decision.”

Duke Marren wrapped his arm around Riett’s shoulder and spoke with a determined expression.

“After the debutante ball, I will bestow the title of Duchess upon you.”

Riett urgently shook her head.

“Father, this is too much! And what’s wrong with your abilities?”

A faint smile played on the lips of the resolute Duke.

“I’m not giving away the title early just because I lack in ability.”

“Then…?”

“If you continue your life as a council without a title, others will silently ignore you.”

That level of disrespect was more than he could handle. 

Riett couldn’t accept her father’s early retirement.

“But…”

“Furthermore, I will descend to the provincial territory.”

“You…?”

Riett’s expression stiffened at the sudden second piece of news.

“I’ll entrust the capital to you. I need to go down and take care of the desolate territory.”

Duke Marren looked at the bewildered Riett and chuckled lightly.

“That’s why I made this decision. What use is the title of Duke in the southern corner?”

The Duke, preoccupied with his political life, had been burdened by the neglected territory.

Moreover, witnessing Riett’s achievements, he believed it was right to allow his wise daughter, who was more capable than himself. It didn’t take him long to make this decision.

“Father…”

While the Duke seemed lighthearted, Riett still couldn’t fully accept the situation.

It was truly shocking.

Usually, a title would be passed on when the current head of the family’s health deteriorated to the point where they couldn’t take care of the household, or when the head of the family passed away and bequeathed it to their child.

But Riett ended up receiving the title much earlier than expected. She felt a mix of happiness and bitterness over her father’s departure. Various emotions overwhelmed Riett.

‘Now, with my father gone from this grand mansion.’ 

Although her heart felt gloomy, she knew that she had to accept her father’s will. 

“You will do well.” 

With a gentle gaze, as if caressing a spring seedling, Riett’s eyes welled up with tears. 

Her throat tightened, and Riett hugged her father without saying a word. Her father’s embrace was as warm as ever.

* * *

The long school life also came to an end. 

“The top student, Riett Marren.” 

The voice of the principal echoed loudly, and Riett’s heart swelled with joy. How much effort had she put in for this moment? 

“The second place, Evan Kreutz.” 

When Evan’s name was called, he looked at Riett and grinned. 

‘I thought he would be a little disappointed.’

After a moment of frustration, Samuel’s name was called next.

“Yes!” 

Samuel cheered and stepped onto the platform. Samuel graduated third and inherited the title, surpassing his older brothers. 

‘Lucky guy…’

As Riett watched Samuel with delight, she thought to herself. If she hadn’t coveted the first place so unjustly, Lucas would have taken third place. Nevertheless, Riett knew that Samuel had also worked hard in his way. 

Thinking of Lucas, she remembered something she had forgotten. 

‘Oh, right… The Spirit Stone!’

After the graduation ceremony, Riett waited in front of the principal’s office for a moment while considering a visit. According to Lucas, there was a Spirit Stone in the school’s artifact storage room.

Soon, the door opened, and the voice of the principal could be heard. 

“Miss Riett.” 

“Ah… Yes!” 

“We are going to visit the artifact storage room now.” 

Visiting the artifact storage room was one of the privileges given to the top-ranked student. One could argue that it wasn’t that impressive to have something shown only to the top-ranked student, but it was a long-standing tradition of Truto Public Noble School. Perhaps it was a measure to intensify competition for the top spot. 

Offering different rewards and treatments to the second and third-ranked students, it made the first-place student appear even more valuable. 

“Whether you knew or not, the artifact storage room contains many rare and valuable treasures.” 

“Yes.” 

“That’s why even I, as the principal, can only enter during the annual visit with the top-ranked student after the graduation ceremony.” 

At the principal’s signal, the waiting magicians and architects began to move busily. About five people stuck to the door and released the enchantment. 

As the blue light surrounding the door dissipated, the door opened automatically with a low rumble. 

“Please, come in.” 

Suppressing her nervousness, Riett followed quietly behind the principal. There were indeed many objects that seemed out of the ordinary, almost to the point of dazzling. 

As the principal turned left and introduced each artifact in turn, Riett’s gaze wandered elsewhere. 

‘Spirit Stone, Spirit Stone…’

No matter how she looked, there was nothing that resembled a Spirit Stone here… 

“Miss Riett?” 

The principal noticed that Riett’s attention was elsewhere and asked quietly.

“Do you have any questions or something you’re curious about?”

In an instant, Riett was engulfed in worries. If Lucas was right and the Spirit Stone truly existed here, the Empire needed to know about it. It was a remarkable entity sought after by various nations, and letting it quietly remain hidden here would be a waste.

However, there was one concern nagging at her. 

‘If I were to take it back to the Empire, Lucas would never find the Spirit Stone again, and he wouldn’t be able to leave the guild either.’

No, perhaps the opportunity had already slipped away since he had missed the chance to be the first.

Moreover, she was now worried about Lucas, who had suffered such a heavy blow. Riett quickly steeled her heart, blaming herself.

“Principal.”

“Yes, Riett?”

“Here… I heard a story about the Spirit Stone. Do you happen to know anything related to it?”

The principal’s expression turned grave at Riett’s cautious question. After a brief moment of silence, the principal wordlessly walked toward the corner on the right.

There, a massive red gemstone was kept.

“I’m not sure who mentioned it, but it’s probably the one they were talking about.”

“So, is this really the Spirit Stone…?”

Riett looked at the principal in astonishment. However, a resolute voice soon followed.

“No, it’s not.”

“Then…”

“The Spirit Stone is not here.”

Was this what disappointment felt like?

‘Then, for what on earth did Lucas spend nearly two years…?’

Riett looked at the massive gemstone in front of her with a desolate expression. It shimmered brilliantly, resembling an extraordinary object, but…

“Then why did such rumors circulate?”

Upon hearing the response, Riett sensed that the principal was aware of the rumors as well. If it had been baseless gossip, Lucas wouldn’t have suddenly enrolled in the noble school.

“Once, the spirit user Perante visited this place.”

“Perante?”

Perante was the legendary spirit user, the sole great existence in the Truto Empire, whom Duke Kreutz had mentioned in the past.

“He discovered that this red gemstone contained tremendous power and wondered if its origin was a spirit. He asked us to verify it.”

The principal sighed and lowered his head.

“However, it was eventually determined to be not the Spirit Stone, but a massive mana stone condensed with immense magical power.”

“A mana stone…”

The red gemstone in front of her was certainly different in appearance, distinctive enough to raise suspicions, even if it wasn’t the Spirit Stone.

“We went through meticulous verification, even consulting the founders of the Mausoleum. Thanks to that, it was conclusively identified as a mana stone.”

The principal rubbed his eyebrows and let out a sigh.

“While we kept it highly confidential, it seems that news of Perante and other individuals visiting this place spread, resulting in rumors.”

Though it had been a long time since Lucas disappeared, discovering the truth made Riett’s heart grow bitter. 

‘Fool.’

If he had wanted to find out, he should have investigated it properly.

For a moment, Riett reminisced about Lucas, unsure of where he was and how he was living now.

* * *

“December 25th.”

Several days had passed since the graduation ceremony, and on one particular day, out of the blue, Riett glanced at Lady Marren, tilting her head. The Lady drew a lovely smile.

“Riett, it’s your debutante ball day.”

Ah, right. She completely forgot about it. After graduation, she had been enjoying a peaceful routine for a change. Riett had spent each day engrossed in books, not thinking about anything else.

“I’m on my way to send the invitations.”

Lady Marren cleared the stack of books next to Riett and sat beside her.

“Our Riett…”

Her white hand gently stroked Riett’s red hair.

“I can still see the image of you as a little child. When did you grow up so beautifully like this?”

Tears welled up in Lady Marren’s brown eyes, so childlike and innocent.

“I used to oppose you attending the noble academy, but now I regret it so much.”

“You were thinking about me, Mother.”

Riett tenderly smiled, comforting her gentle mother.

“Still, I felt sorry that I couldn’t trust you… despite seeing you grow up so splendidly.”

Her mother was a worrier, but Riett always appreciated that her concerns stemmed from love.

Meeting her passionate and energetic father, and her affectionate and kind-hearted mother was a great fortune.

“From now on… we won’t be able to see our Riett often… hmp.”

In the end, her mother burst into tears.

Her father and mother were diligently preparing to start a new life in a provincial territory.

Although it pained Riett’s heart to be separated from her family, whom she had faced each other every day, she tried not to show it.

“Mother, I’ll send letters frequently and visit whenever I have the chance.”

Riett hugged Lady Marren and gently patted her back. Soon, the sobbing subsided.

“I didn’t come here for this.”

Suddenly, Lady Marren raised her head and mumbled in a charming voice. Then, as if she remembered something, she cupped her hands together and brought them to her mouth.

“Oh, right, Riett.”

“Yes?”

As if asking if she hadn’t cried, Lady Marren spoke with an excited voice.

“Do you know who’s coming to your debutante ball?”

Riett had no idea. Considering she had just learned the date of the ball, it was natural.

Curious, Riett asked the lively mother, 

“Who is coming?”

“The person who is coming is…”

Who could it be? Riett could feel her mother’s excitement and anticipation.