IHYMW 18

Chapter 18

As the spring breeze turned the trees green, Truto Public Academy for Nobles opened its gates. The wide schoolyard buzzed with new students as fresh and lively as budding leaves.

Among them, two students stood out—Evan and Riette.

Evan was already receiving plenty of attention thanks to the prestige of the Duke of Croix family. But recently, he’d become even more famous due to the scandal involving the Duchess of Croix.

Because of that, for the first time, Riette genuinely worried about Evan.

Just as the Duke had feared, the noble school was no easy place. With only three spots available for the throne rankings, competition was fierce. A genius like Evan could be torn apart for even the smallest flaw.

She had tried several times to ask Evan if he would be okay, but she kept missing the right moment. That was because ever since the day Evan had caught a cold, things had changed between them.

For example, Evan had stopped expressing his feelings for her. No more flirty words, no more thoughtful or concerned gestures.

Riette felt relieved. She thought Evan’s affection had faded like a passing fever.

It was a good thing. Their long-standing relationship had returned to normal.

‘Or so I thought.’

But Riette soon realized something else—her relationship with Evan hadn’t returned to how it was, but had instead changed into something completely different.

It happened one day.

She caught Evan reading a book—not the Imperial Etiquette Manual that the Duke of Croix had told them to memorize, but a completely different one.

“You already memorized the etiquette manual?”

“I finished it before you even got through the first line.”

At first, she just thought his tone had become a little more annoying. He was always annoying, after all.

But it wasn’t just her imagination.

She felt it again during their monthly word-race competition.

“I’m going to win this time.”

“Go for it, Riette. Though the ending’s already decided.”

Riette quickly realized—Evan no longer liked her.

With the rose-tinted glasses off, Evan stopped trying to be nice or considerate. His real personality was now showing through.

‘Oh, so this is how you really feel, huh?’

After that revelation, Riette started bickering with Evan whenever they met.

To be exact, “bickering” wasn’t the right word—Evan would throw a spark, and Riette would burst into flames all by herself.

Because of this strange relationship, she never got the chance to ask if he was really okay.

But on the first day of school, when she felt other students’ glances, her concern for Evan resurfaced.

Riette decided it was finally time to bring up what she’d been holding back.

“Hey, Evan.”

“Yeah?”

“You… Are you going to be okay?”

As they walked across the courtyard, she asked, and Evan turned his head to look at her.

“About what?”

“You’re getting a lot of attention.”

At her cautious words, Evan smiled, seemingly amused.

“Are you worried about me right now?”

“…Forget it. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Annoyed by his teasing tone, Riette shook her head and sped up. Evan quickly caught up and grabbed her arm, still smiling.

“Riette, do you really think they’re looking at me?”

“What?”

His unexpected words made her stop in her tracks.

“Sure, some people might be looking at me. But hey, Riette…”

He leaned in and whispered in her ear.

“Look around. Do you see anyone standing out as much as you?”

Riette frowned and glanced around. People were indeed staring—but at her and Evan, not just Evan. Their gazes were much more obvious now. That’s when Riette realized how close she and Evan were standing.

“Okay, okay! Get away from me!”

Only then did Evan step back, looking quite satisfied.

As they neared the school building, Riette finally understood what he meant.

The stares weren’t for Evan—they were for her.

There were hardly any girls at the school, and her bright red hair was eye-catching even from a distance.

‘Ah, they were looking at me.’

Embarrassed, Riette walked on, pretending not to care.

When they reached the front of the building, they saw a crowd gathered.

“Oh, it’s the class placement board.”

Everyone was crowding around the list to see their assigned classes.

Riette checked the board and found her name at the top—Class A.

‘So I’m in Class A.’

She scrolled past Classes B, C, and D and finally found Evan’s name—Class E.

They were in different classes. Not only that, they were in entirely different buildings.

Riette actually felt relieved. After spending so much time with Evan, she was ready for a little distance.

“Oh ho, Evan,”

Thinking he’d feel the same, she looked at him—but Evan’s expression was grim, even stiff.

Startled by his unexpected reaction, Riette gave him a playful pat on the shoulder.

“I know it’s sad being separated from me, but what can you do?”

“…”

“Use this chance to make new friends.”

She expected him to flash his usual annoying smile, but Evan remained silent.

“Alright then, I’m going.”

Waving her hand in front of his silent face, she turned and left.

On the second floor, she entered her classroom and immediately felt all the students’ eyes on her.

Feeling awkward, she went to her seat.

As she sat idly, whispers reached her ears.

“That’s Riette from House Meren, right?”

“Looks like it. I heard she acts like a boy, but she’s way prettier than I expected.”

If you’re going to whisper, at least lower your voice…

At first, she was just flustered by all the attention. But soon, she felt like she was being put on display at a market.

“That guy with her earlier—was that Evan? He looked like a statue.”

“Rumor has it they’re engaged. Didn’t you see them whispering at the board earlier? Looked like a couple to me…”

“That’s not true!”

Riette couldn’t take it anymore and jumped to her feet. The comment about Evan looking like a statue annoyed her, but the ridiculous idea of being engaged to him pushed her over the edge.

All the sneaky glances now turned into full stares.

Since she was already standing, she decided to lay it down.

“And you all—if you have something to say, say it to my face! Stop sneaking peeks!”

The boys had expected her to be shy, but her fierce tone froze the room.

But only for a moment.

“Sorry if we offended you!”

“You and Evan are just so famous. We were curious.”

“Wow, your hair really is super red.”

They must’ve taken her words as permission, because now everyone started crowding around her.

‘What the—’

This wasn’t the reaction she had expected.

“You and Evan rarely appear at social gatherings.”

“Everyone was curious about you.”

“Only two duke houses in the Empire—you both seemed too good for the rest of us!”

It didn’t take long for their misunderstandings to clear up—especially after seeing how bold and unrefined Riette was.

As time passed, she naturally blended in with the classmates who had once been intimidated by her.

The boys treated her in two ways.

First, some were clearly drawn to her beauty and treated her kindly.

Second, some resented her presence, thinking a girl didn’t belong at a noble academy.

Thankfully, most were in the former group, so even after three months, school life went on without major issues.

Evan adjusted well too.

They hardly saw each other anymore, but his name came up constantly.

In no time, Evan had made the school his turf.

He climbed the male hierarchy swiftly, proving that the top belonged to him.

He was friendly with those who were kind to him and ruthlessly crushed those who picked fights.

No one knew exactly how he crushed them, but they all ended up intimidated and kept their distance.

And interestingly, aside from Evan and herself, one more person had become famous.

“Hey, Riette.”

That person was Lucas Holton, who had just greeted her.

Lucas had shining platinum-blond hair and delicate features. Aside from Evan as a child, she had never seen a boy so pretty.

But it wasn’t his looks that made him famous.

Despite coming from an obscure baron’s family, Lucas’s bright and friendly personality made him known by everyone.

He often chatted warmly with Riette as well.

“Lovely weather today, isn’t it, Riette?”

“It is.”

“Wanna eat lunch outside?”

Thanks to his easygoing nature, Lucas was the first to approach her—and the fastest to become her friend.

“Sure, I’m down.”

“Eating lunch alone with Riette out in the open—bet we’ll draw some hot stares.”

He whistled playfully.

Riette, used to his antics, just ignored him.

They found a bench under a cozy shade and opened their lunches. Lucas asked,

“Hey, you know what?”

“What?”

“Evan’s one glare is scarier than a hundred students staring at me.”

He chuckled.

Hearing Evan’s name suddenly, Riette looked at him.

“Evan?”

“I think he doesn’t like me.”

“Is there anyone who doesn’t like you?”

When Riette replied with a scoff, Lucas grinned.

“Hey, some people just don’t like you for no reason.”

“Evan may be a jerk, but he’s not the type to hate people for no reason.”

“That hurts, Riette. Taking Evan’s side?”

“Shut up and eat your lunch!”

When she waved her fork at him, Lucas laughed and took it from her.

“Anyway, report cards are coming out soon.”

Lucas took a bite of bread as he spoke.

Just like he said, today was the announcement of their results from the past three months.

Grades were calculated from exams in history, politics, military, and religion—as well as outdoor activities like swordsmanship, horseback riding, and archery.

“How do you think you did?”

“I’ll get what I deserve.”

Lucas laughed at her vague answer. Then he said quietly,

“Once the results are out, the atmosphere at school will totally change.”

Riette knew exactly what he meant.

Until grades are released, it’s hard to know who your biggest threat is. But once you’re in the top 3, your enemies become obvious.

There were only three spots on the throne.

“Oh, hey, Riette.”

Just then, a shy boy approached and spoke hesitantly.

Lucas and Riette paused their conversation.

“Oh no, should I give you two some privacy?”

Lucas tousled his hair like he’d seen this before.