Chapter 50
Riette wanted to talk to her father today, but he didn’t return until late in the evening.
Even when she tried asking her mother, all her mother did was redden her eyes and repeat like a parrot that Riette should hear it directly from her father.
“Yesterday couldn’t be helped, but today—definitely!”
With that determination, Riette crossed the school grounds.
As soon as she arrived at her classroom, she was summoned by the principal. After putting down her things and heading to the principal’s office, she realized someone was already there.
“…….”
“Hello, Riette.”
It was Evan who greeted her first. Riette gave him a displeased look.
“Were you also called by the principal?”
Evan nodded lightly, then raised the corners of his mouth and asked,
“You too, Riette?”
“Yes.”
Riette pushed past him, knocked on the door, and entered when she heard the voice from inside say, “Come in.”
“Welcome.”
The principal greeted them with a smile. Riette noticed that after their last conversation, the deep wrinkles around his eyes seemed a little gentler.
“It’s nice to see you two often.”
“I like seeing you often too, Principal.”
It was pleasant to get to know people this way. Especially adults from whom she could learn something, like the principal.
“By the way, you two are quite the pair—handsome and beautiful, there’s no distinction.”
Riette frowned at that moment. Compliments were fine, but she absolutely did not want to be associated with that guy. But before she could respond, an even more dreadful question followed.
“I’ve heard your families are close. Have you promised each other a future?”
“No! Not at all!”
Riette slammed her fists on the table, denying it strongly. The principal flinched in surprise and leaned back. Evan, standing beside her, smiled at Riette.
“Why are you denying it so strongly, Riette?”
“Because it’s not true!”
“Such strong denials only make people misunderstand you more. Are you hoping for that?”
At his teasing tone, Riette spun around, ready to grab Evan by his shirt collar.
“Don’t be ridiculous, you brat!”
Evan, leaving the huffing Riette beside him, spoke to the principal.
“As you can see, they haven’t promised a future, but they do share deep feelings.”
“I see.”
The principal, considering the strange relationship, got straight to the point.
“The reason I called you two here is about the recommendation letter for the parliamentary position.”
Riette had been extremely happy at the thought of receiving a recommendation letter, though she had temporarily forgotten about it due to her father’s troubles. Her father was in crisis, and she didn’t know how it might affect her. Considering her family’s tightly tangled affairs, she couldn’t allow herself to get too excited.
She still couldn’t.
“I gave you a brief explanation when I called you individually before, but I thought it necessary to explain it more concretely this time.”
Evan glanced at Riette, whose mood had grown somber. However, the principal didn’t seem to notice her change and continued.
“As you know, in the Truto Empire, the standard way to become a noble parliamentarian is to receive recommendations from existing parliamentarians.”
Riette nodded. Indeed, once a year, current noble parliamentarians select candidates. If that’s like a general public recruitment, the principal’s recommendation felt like a special appointment.
“However, with a recommendation letter from the principal, you’re granted candidate eligibility regardless of parliamentary recommendation.”
“Yes.”
“Yet, receiving this recommendation doesn’t guarantee becoming a parliamentarian. You still need the majority vote from existing parliamentarians.”
A majority vote. Considering her father’s politically weakened situation, it was absolutely disadvantageous for her.
Suppressing her anxiety, Riette asked carefully,
“…What are the criteria to get those votes?”
“The format isn’t strictly defined, but in some form, you will face the noble parliamentarians. They’ll test you—think of it as an interview.”
Riette closed her eyes gently. That meant she would have to face the Marquis Callian as well. At this moment, he would undoubtedly judge her poorly because of her father’s situation.
And not just him—others would likely be cautious as well, wary of offending a politically influential person.
Even the current Emperor finds him difficult to deal with.
Though she tried not to think negatively, she couldn’t hold back a sigh. The opportunity she had long wished for was finally here, yet it came with such serious adversity.
“Um… Principal.”
“Go ahead, Riette.”
“If I fail the interview, does the opportunity just vanish?”
The principal’s eyes clouded with concern at Riette’s cautious question.
“That’s correct… Even with the principal’s recommendation, if you fail once, you’re never reconsidered as a candidate.”
Though she expected the answer, her mouth felt dry.
“When will the interview be held…?”
“Soon, I believe. It usually happens before graduation.”
If she had to attend the interview without resolving her family’s affairs, failure was certain. Her heart grew anxious.
“Then… is there a way to delay or withhold the recommendation?”
“I don’t know why you’d ask that… but it’s difficult.”
The principal looked puzzled at Riette’s demeanor, so different from when she first heard about the recommendation.
“Is something wrong, Riette?”
“Nothing. I was just curious.”
The principal was not particularly interested in politics. She wasn’t someone to whom he would vent grievances anyway.
“In any case, you should prepare yourself mentally. If you pass the interview, you’ll immediately work for the royal family after graduation.”
Riette and Evan acknowledged this and left the principal’s office.
As soon as they stepped into the corridor, Riette sighed deeply. This was the situation she had always dreamed of—but why did the heavens test her like this? For the first time, she felt resentment toward the sky.
Evan asked,
“What’s wrong?”
“…What do you mean?”
“The question you asked earlier—it’s not like you.”
It reminded her of a scene from a drama in her past life:
“This isn’t like you!”
And the protagonist would shout:
“What’s ‘like me’ then?!”
Reality, however, was not like a drama. She didn’t even have the energy to answer. But she was curious.
“What do you mean by ‘not like me’?”
“Assuming failure before even trying.”
Riette blinked slowly. Evan was right. It was the first time she had thought negatively, imagining the worst before even starting. Normally, she would ignite an unfounded confidence that she could overcome any situation.
Right.
She had solved every challenge so far—saving the falsely accused man, the duel with Samuel, reclaiming first place, graduating at the top—all of it.
Gradually, life returned to her eyes, and her bright red gaze turned toward Evan.
“Finally, that was helpful!”
Despite Riette’s renewed vigor, Evan’s expression remained serious.
“Is something really wrong?”
“Evan.”
Riette looked him squarely in the eyes.
“Our family is in ruin. We might have to go down to our southern lands. If things go worse there, I might have to marry into another family like being sold off.”
“…What?”
Evan’s face stiffened instantly, but Riette continued undeterred.
“That’s the worst possible ending I could face.”
“…….”
“So, I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen.”
As always. As she had turned crises into opportunities before.
Riette returned home and waited for her father at the front gate late into the night, skipping dinner. She had to see him before the day ended.
Clop-clop—clop-clop—
At the sound of hooves, Riette leapt up. It was her father.
“…Riette?”
Duke Meren muttered in surprise upon seeing his daughter standing in the dark.
“Father, can we talk?”
Riette had Duke Meren and the Duchess sit with her in the parlor. A heavy silence hung between the three of them.
Riette began first.
“I actually heard from Duke Croit.”
Her father lowered his face like a guilty man, clearly understanding what she meant.
“……I see.”
“Still, I want to hear it directly from you, Father.”
Riette held her father’s hand. His pale hand was almost devoid of warmth, matching his ashen face.
“Riette.”
Finally, his heavy lips moved. He seemed to realize he could no longer hide the situation.
“As you know, I’ve been in politics for a long time.”
“Yes.”
Riette nodded solemnly as the story began.
“I’ve worked with a sense of duty to preserve the long-standing glory of the Meren family, achieved by our ancestors.”
“I know. You’ve been the most dedicated in keeping that duty.”
Her father couldn’t exactly be called as wise as Duke Croit. While other nobles ventured into commerce or trade, he devoted himself entirely to parliamentary work. He had always tried to protect what he had, not expand it.
He wasn’t calculating or worldly, but he was passionate and energetic. Riette admired him for that.
“But this country has rotten roots. There’s Marquis Callian, representing the moderates.”
She had heard this from an older man, but she listened quietly without interrupting.
“After long pursuit, I uncovered his corruption.”
The Duke’s voice began to tremble slightly.
“…But I made a final mistake. Duke Croit warned me to examine the situation more closely, but I ignored his warning… and fell into the trap.”
Finally, the part Riette had been curious about came. She asked carefully,
“What will you have to bear as a consequence, Father?”
Duke Meren clenched his fists until the knuckles turned white.
“It’s a compensation equal to the entire mansion and grounds.”
Riette’s eyes widened.
“That means…”
“Yes. Paying compensation equivalent to the sale of this mansion and lands, and relocating to the southern territory. That’s what Marquis Callian wants.”
The southern territory was far from the capital. Returning there was practically like exile.
If that happens…
Her father, who had lived his life as a politician, would become a defeated man, all his achievements denied in an instant.
And her dream of becoming a noble parliamentarian…
“…would have to be folded away carefully.”
