CH 62

Finally, the long-awaited debutante ball had arrived.

“Oh my, look at our Riett! When did she grow up like this?” 

Lady Marren, the Duchess, exclaimed, clapping her hands softly and looking at her husband standing beside her.

Briefly impressed, Lady Marren soon had an expression that seemed like she was about to cry as she gazed at Riett. 

“You look beautiful.”

While Riett’s parents were moved by the sight of their daughter growing up so well, Riett herself was already exhausted.

The preparations had been meticulously carried out under her mother’s strict supervision since dawn. Her luxuriant curly hair, which was usually neatly braided and pinned up to look presentable on party days, was now simply braided to one side and neatly let down. Instead, she meticulously secured it in various places to prevent any stray locks from sticking out.

And what about the dress? 

Riett enveloped in a gorgeous layered navy blue dress, felt as if she were wearing the armor of a general heading to the battlefield.

Luckily, the shoes she had to wear were replaced with flat boots that had almost no heels. She couldn’t be more grateful for the bandages around her ankles.

“If only you could dance, all the gentlemen at the party would have asked you to dance… What a pity.”

“I agree.”

Said the Duke, embracing his disappointed wife’s shoulders.

Just as they heard a knock on the open door, everyone’s attention turned toward it.

“My Lord, the carriages have arrived. If you’re ready, you should go to the ballroom.”

The Duke nodded. 

“Let’s go, then.”

* * *

The ballroom quickly filled up with the people attending the party. The usually quiet Duke Marren’s ballroom had transformed into a vibrant scene as if it were a blossoming spring day.

“Hello, Miss Riett. No, should I address you as the Member of the Noble Council now? Ohoho.”

And indeed, people’s attitudes towards Riett had changed. Although she rarely attended social parties, she would still meet various people and exchange greetings at her birthday party each year.

Naturally, back then, the guests at the party only had an interest in her father and would only briefly greet her as they passed by.

But now, that attention was directed toward her.

It wasn’t just because she was the protagonist of the debutante ball. Although Riett had seen other young ladies’ debutante balls, typically only the gentlemen intending to propose would show interest. 

However, Riett, who had become an adult and acquired the title of a noble member of the council, received a different kind of attention from the guests.

Moreover, there was going to be a major announcement later in the evening. It had been arranged for the guests to be informed that her father would retire from politics and pass his position as Duke Marren to Riett.

“Riett, you seem like a completely different person today.”

She turned her head at the familiar voice after the announcement, lost in her thoughts about whether the attention would intensify from now on.

Duke Kreutz and Evan were standing there.

“Greetings, Duke!” 

Riett greeted them with a bright smile. She had to be careful not to use the term “mister” in public settings.

“But a different person? How did I usually look then?” 

Riett looked at the Duke with a feigned frown.

“Haha… I misspoke. I meant to say that the new dress suits you very well.”

Duke Kreutz scratched his cheek with a puzzled expression. Evan, standing next to him, commented on the outfit.

“With so many frills on the dress, how do you plan to defend yourself in a swordfight?”

“What?!”

Although Riett agreed with Evan’s remark, hearing such words from him didn’t make her feel good.

While she was contemplating if there was anything she could criticize about Evan’s attire, Riett remembered that she had something to say to him.

“Oh, right, Evan.”

Riett subtly gestured towards Evan. He quickly understood the secret signal, and his eyebrow slightly raised.

‘Come over here for a moment.’

As soon as she pursed her lips, Evan nodded his head.

Riett lifted the cumbersome hem of her dress and headed towards the terrace. Fortunately, there was no one on the terrace.

“Dragging me to such a secluded place, people will get the wrong idea.”

Evan muttered as he scanned the space. Riett had been worried about that as well, but since the party had yet to officially begin, it was fine for a brief moment.

Now, Riett had to be more attentive to Evan’s reactions rather than the guests. He was quick-witted, so she needed to act more delicately in front of him than she did in front of her parents.

Ahem. Riett cleared her throat quietly and spoke up.

“Evan, I’m sorry.”

“What…?” 

Evan’s thought was that actions spoke louder than words, so when Riett lifted her dress, he instinctively reached out and urgently stopped her hand.

“What are you doing…?!”

As Evan’s gaze fell on Riett’s ankle, he quickly grasped the situation upon seeing the bandages and looked at Riett with concern.

“Could it be…?”

“I injured my ankle, so I won’t be able to dance tonight.”

Upon hearing those words, Evan let out an exasperated sound.

“Why didn’t you just say it? Why did you have to startle me by lifting your skirt?”

No, was that the reason he was angry?

Riett thought Evan’s reaction was off by quite a bit.

“I thought you might think I was lying if I just said it.”

Riett explained, and Evan ran his hand through his hair.

“Is it badly hurt?”

“Not… I just won’t be able to dance, that’s all.”

Why did the lies she shamelessly told her parents feel so awkward in front of Evan? Riett’s anxious eyes darted around.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah…”

Evan looked down at Riett’s ankle and spoke.

“At least it’s not a serious injury. That’s a relief.”

Riett felt a pang of guilt at Evan’s concern.

“And… How are you going to deal with the stalker now?”

“It’s fine. There’s nothing we can do.”

It seemed that the stalker wasn’t as malicious as she thought, as Evan appeared surprisingly unconcerned.

“But…”

“Yes?”

“With your ankle like this, you won’t be able to dance with anyone, not just me, right?”

The question seemed a bit strange, but Riett nodded her head.

“Of course. Would my ankle miraculously heal in front of other people?”

Evan’s tail perked up at Riett’s taunting remark.

“Well then, it’s settled.”

What difference does it make?

‘He’s such a weird guy.’

Still, Riett was relieved that Evan accepted it quickly. He wasn’t the kind of person to hold a grudge over a minor injury.

“Now, I have to go. I have to greet the guests.”

“Riett.”

“Yeah?”

As Riett turned around with a lighter heart, Evan called out to her.

“There’s a caterpillar ahead.”

“Eek!”

Riett couldn’t stand caterpillars. Just the sight of them wriggling on the ground made her hair stand on end.

‘But… it’s right under my foot now!’

Realizing that something was amiss a beat too late, Riett swiftly moved her body back and stomped on the ground.

“Where’s the caterpillar?”

While Riett searched for the caterpillar and turned her head, she slowly realized that something was wrong.

‘Did… Did I just move my body agilely like a martial arts protagonist…?’

Riett, who had been examining the ground, slowly lifted her head. She saw Evan, who was wearing a faint smile.

“…”

“I must have been mistaken.”

Evan walked past Riett and opened the door to the terrace.

“The protagonist should hurry back to the ballroom.”

He couldn’t resist chuckling as he gave her a warning.

“Take care of your ankle.”

* * *

That fox-like guy. 

‘Leaving me behind.’ 

She was taken aback by that. She should be grateful that he didn’t ask further.

“Riett!”

As soon as she returned to the ballroom, the person who called and discovered Riett was none other than Samuel. Riett’s face paled at the sight of his delighted expression.

“Samuel!”

“Wow…! I thought you were a goddess even from a distance!”

Accustomed to Samuel’s praise, Riett brushed it off lightly. And, feeling a bit embarrassed, she returned the compliment to Samuel, who was fidgeting.

“You look cool too.”

“What? No way…!”

While denying it, Samuel’s face turned red, and he repeated a cycle of laughing and blushing.

“By the way, Riett.”

Samuel looked around and leaned closer to Riett, making her uncomfortable. Startled by the sudden closeness, she almost threw a punch.

“Riett, if you ever need my help, let me know.”

‘Samuel’s help…? Will there ever be a day when I need it?’

Samuel’s household was a noble family that manufactured illegal weapons for profit. It was hard to imagine receiving help from such a family.

“If Riett asks for help, I’ll come running.”

Well, for now, she couldn’t outright say that she didn’t need help from someone willing to offer it…

After finishing his words, Samuel stepped back.

“Anyway, congratulations on becoming an adult, Riett. It’s a shame you hurt your ankle; I would have requested a dance.”

She has no intention of doing that. Honestly, she despised dancing. While she couldn’t avoid dancing for the rest of her life, at least for now, she didn’t want to become a laughingstock on such an important day because of dancing.

As Samuel left after exchanging greetings, this time it was Duke Marren who approached Riett.

“Riett, I heard that the imperial carriage has passed through the main gate. Let’s prepare to welcome His Majesty.”

There was tension in Duke Marren’s voice.

Riett understood her father’s nervousness. Although he had worked with His Majesty for a long time, they had never met in a private setting.

Not long after they waited at the entrance of the ballroom, several magnificent carriages adorned with red and gold arrived.

The carriages carrying the imperial knights and courtiers came to a stop first, followed by the carriage decorated with gold engravings of the Truto Empire.

From there, the Emperor, dressed more casually than usual, emerged.

Duke Marren, Lady Marren, and Riett deeply bowed in respect.

“Your Majesty, thank you for coming all the way here.”

“Good to see you, Duke Marren.”

The Emperor looked around the crowded ballroom.

“Hehe, I wonder if I’m causing inconvenience by coming here for no reason.”

“You couldn’t possibly, Your Majesty. You’re being too humble.”

Duke Marren replied, not knowing what to do.

The Emperor then turned to Riett with a smiling face.

“Miss Riett.”

“It’s an honor to have you here, Your Majesty.”

“How have you been all this time?”

“Every day I’ve spent, eagerly awaiting the day I enter the palace, Your Majesty.”

Riett’s flattery made the Emperor burst into a burst of pleased laughter.

“I feel the same way. That’s why I came here ahead of everyone.”

Riett skillfully guided the important guest without showing any signs of nervousness.

“The weather is cold. Let’s go inside.”