Chapter 29
Riette looked at herself in the mirror, fully dressed up.
The pale pink dress her mother had carefully chosen and the white rose delicately placed on her head created a perfect harmony.
“Hoo…”
As the preparations ended, her heart began pounding faster. She felt as though sweat was gathering under her soft satin gloves.
When the ticking of the clock caught her attention, she looked up—it was already time to leave. Riette hurried down to the first floor.
The first person she saw was Evan, who looked almost too stunning.
She had always thought he was handsome, but with his hair slicked back neatly and dressed in formal evening wear, Evan’s looks were enough to make anyone turn their head.
It was something she always felt, but this version of Evan seemed unfamiliar and strangely different.
“Riette,”
Even more so when he called her name softly, with his eyes gently crinkling.
“Why did you come all the way to my house? We could’ve met at school.”
“Of course I had to come pick up my partner.”
Evan looked pleased, his eyes curving in a smile.
For a moment, Riette stared blankly at his face. Maybe noticing her gaze, Evan touched his face and asked,
“Why are you looking at me like that…? Do I have something on my face?”
“N-no! Let’s just go.”
Flustered, Riette grabbed her skirt and took the lead. Her face felt like it was burning. Realizing her body was reacting oddly only made her more nervous.
Riette quickly climbed into the carriage, and Evan followed, sitting across from her.
“We’ll depart now.”
The coachman announced, and the carriage began to move.
Clop-clop—clop-clop—
Aside from the steady sound of hooves, silence hung between the two of them.
Why does this feel so awkward?
It wasn’t the first time they sat in silence.
Since she had spent so much time with Evan from childhood, being quiet together wasn’t unusual.
But unlike other times, this silence felt uncomfortable.
As Riette pondered, she looked around for something to talk about. Behind Evan, she spotted a wrapped box.
“What’s that?”
She pointed to the box. Part of it was obscured by Evan, but it looked fairly large.
“A gift.”
Evan replied casually, looking out the carriage window.
“I can see that. But what’s the gift for?”
With its red wrapping paper and blue ribbon, it was obviously a present.
“It’s a secret.”
A secret…? Could it be for me? Why else would he keep it from me?
Riette stared at the box as if trying to bore a hole through it.
“…Don’t tell me, is it for me?”
“No.”
The reply came immediately.
Of course not. They only exchanged gifts on birthdays. Outside of that, neither of them gave each other presents.
When did that start?
Actually, it wasn’t always like that. When they were little, Evan used to bring her gifts often.
“Riette, I picked this because it reminded me of you…”
Sometimes he would give her flowers he found on the street.
“This was really tasty, so I snuck it out…”
He once brought leftover cookies from tea time, carefully wrapped in a handkerchief.
She used to pretend to dislike it, but she never rejected the gifts. Maybe because of the sincerity he showed.
But ever since the day Evan proposed, those little gifts disappeared completely.
He probably thought it would cause misunderstanding, since he doesn’t like me anymore.
That was the unspoken rule between them—no unnecessary gifts.
“Whatever.”
Riette turned her head and propped her chin on her hand. Then she heard a quiet chuckle next to her.
“Aren’t you curious who it’s for?”
“…Not at all.”
She hesitated before answering. Honestly, she was a little curious. Judging by the fancy wrapping, it probably wasn’t for a guy.
“Your face says otherwise.”
Evan pointed out, and Riette bristled.
“I said I’m not curious!”
She clutched at her dress as she spoke. Evan nodded, still smiling.
“Got it.”
After snapping like that, the tension in her brow eased, and her nervousness lightened. Bickering with him made her forget the heat that had crept onto her cheeks earlier, and even the sweaty palms began to dry.
“We’ve arrived.”
The coachman opened the door, revealing a brightly lit courtyard. Colorfully dressed guests filled the green lawn.
“Watch your dress.”
Evan stepped down first and held her dress as she followed.
Though it wasn’t long—chosen for ease of dancing—the dress was so voluminous that it was easy to trip, just as Evan had warned.
When they entered the grand hall, Lucas came up to greet them.
“Riette, you look amazing today.”
As he smiled, his platinum hair shimmered under the lights.
With a bashful face, Riette replied,
“Uh… You look great too.”
Lucas’s amber evening wear matched his bright personality well. With a completely different vibe from Evan, Lucas drew just as many gazes.
Then Riette noticed the beautiful, sharp-featured woman standing next to Lucas.
“Is that your partner?”
“Yeah. She’s my cousin.”
They don’t look alike at all.
Looking at the pair, who didn’t resemble each other in the slightest, Riette greeted her politely.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Riette Meren.”
Lucas’s partner gave a slight bow, saying nothing else.
“Don’t mind her. She doesn’t talk much, even normally.”
Lucas explained with a small smile. Riette didn’t really mind. She just thought their personalities were as different as their appearances.
“Shall we go?”
Evan, who had been quietly watching Riette and Lucas talk, finally spoke. Lucas’s gaze turned to Evan.
“You look good today too, Evan.”
Though it was a compliment, it somehow sounded sarcastic. Maybe because she knew the two didn’t get along.
“Thanks. You and your partner make a good match.”
Evan’s voice wasn’t as sharp as before, but it still had a cutting edge.
Lucas smirked but didn’t respond further. Evan, as if he had nothing more to say either, took Riette and moved away.
Then came a heavy thudding sound.
“Riette!”
A large figure came striding over—it was Samuel, lumbering like a bear.
Standing at least 190cm tall and dressed in a bluish-gray suit, he reminded her of the gray bear she had fought before.
His red, flushed face made the sight even more comical.
“I recognized you right away from across the hall!”
Recognized what? Riette tilted her head at his dramatic words.
“I thought a goddess had descended to the mortal world…!”
He clutched his mouth, looking overwhelmed with emotion. Riette instinctively stepped back.
He’s not in his right mind either…
As she clicked her tongue inwardly—
Bzzzt—
Sparks flew from the chandelier in the center of the hall. The lights flickered, and everything went dark.
In the darkness, Evan spoke quietly.
“Be careful.”
“Mm-hmm…”
What was happening? Just as she began to worry, the chandelier flickered again and the lights returned.
“What was that?”
“These buildings are old. Probably just a short blackout.”
Samuel folded his arms and glanced around. He was probably right. Since the lights came back quickly, it didn’t seem serious.
As if to calm the murmuring guests, someone who appeared to be the party host stepped onto the podium.
“Before we begin the dance party, the principal will give a short speech.”
Clap clap clap—
An elderly man stepped up to the podium. It was the first time Riette had seen the principal since the entrance ceremony.
“Ho ho, some parts of the building are quite old, so this happens occasionally.”
Just as Samuel had said—it was indeed due to aging facilities.
The principal smiled as if it was no big deal.
“To see so many talented young people who will carry the future of the Truto Empire gathered here makes my heart swell with pride. At least for today, forget all your worries and simply enjoy the party.”
With that short, thoughtful speech, the dance party officially began.
It was divided into three parts. The students had been grouped accordingly, and Riette and Evan were part of the second group.
As the orchestra began to play, students from the first group paired up and headed to the center. The first act had begun.
They must have practiced a lot—everyone’s movements were precise and graceful. Riette felt the nervousness she’d forgotten creeping back into her mind.
“Riette.”
Evan’s voice brought her back to her senses.
“You cleared my father’s name and took down a bear three times your size on your own.”
“…”
“Compared to that, this is nothing.”
Evan gently removed her glove. Then he pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed her sweaty palm.
“You’ll do great.”
Once her hand was dry, he helped her slip the glove back on.
He’s right.
Compared to everything she had faced so far, this really was nothing.
As her mind cleared, the second act began. Music started to flow, and Evan extended his hand with a smile more dazzling than ever. Riette placed her hand in his.
