Chapter 5
“Hi, Liet.”
“Uh… Yeah, hi, Evan.”
Seven years had passed, and Evan had completely changed.
For instance, the way he greeted so calmly now—there was no trace of the timid Evan from the past.
As he grew older, Evan gradually rid himself of his watery eyes, stuttering voice, and nervous demeanor.
One’s nature doesn’t change easily, so Evan must’ve worked really hard.
But Liet couldn’t help but wonder every time.
‘Why, though?’
Why go to such lengths?
“You talk slowly, cry all the time, and can’t even make proper eye contact!”
“…If I didn’t, would you like me then?”
That conversation from seven years ago suddenly resurfaced, but Liet shook her head quickly.
He’s probably just changing because he finds it frustrating himself. And if he wants to follow the plot of the novel, he can’t stay the same.
While Liet was briefly lost in thought—
“Liet?”
“Ahhh!”
Evan had suddenly leaned in close to examine her face. Startled, Liet reflexively shoved him in the chest.
“You scared me!”
Even though she pushed him pretty hard, Evan didn’t budge. Instead, he leaned in even closer.
“Are you okay, Liet?”
Back in the day, Evan would’ve fallen flat on his butt if she pushed him like that.
That wasn’t the only difference.
By the time he turned fourteen, Evan had surpassed Liet in height. And he was still growing fast—there was now more than a 10 cm difference between them.
‘So annoying!’
As Liet glared up at him, Evan gave her a bright smile.
“You were standing still, so I got worried you were sick.”
“Why would I suddenly be sick?!”
“Is your foot okay?”
Evan glanced down at Liet’s foot.
Seven years ago, she’d injured it on a glass shard. Fortunately, there was no damage to the muscle or bone, but it did leave a 2 cm scar.
Liet didn’t care—after all, it was just her foot. But Evan would sometimes ask about it with an overly serious expression.
“You said it aches when it rains.”
She had only said that once, years ago. Was he trying to show off his memory?
And yeah, it did ache sometimes when it rained—but there was no way she was going to act weak in front of Evan.
“Whatever, the Duke is waiting.”
Liet brushed past Evan and walked off. She heard his footsteps following behind.
As they walked a now-familiar path, they arrived at the study.
After seven years of coming and going here, it had become one of the most comfortable and relaxing places for Liet.
“You’re here, Liet.”
The Duke greeted her with his usual kind smile.
“You didn’t get too wet, did you?”
“Oh come on. The carriage dropped me off right at the front door.”
The relationship between Liet and Duke Croyt had grown so close that people might mistake them for father and daughter.
The Duke adored Liet’s intelligence and bluntness.
Every time Liet visited, she would tell the Duke about what she had done that week, and he enjoyed listening.
Evan, in contrast, had grown into a mature and quiet young man.
Whenever the Duke saw his son becoming more adult-like, he felt both proud and a little sad.
That gap in his heart was filled by Liet.
“Next year, you’ll both be entering Truto Public Academy for Nobles.”
“Yes! I’m so excited!”
When Liet spoke with enthusiasm, the Duke fondly patted her head.
“Is becoming a duke still your dream?”
“Of course.”
Just like the Duke said, next year, she would enter the noble academy.
Truto Public Academy was where noble children from all over the country gathered. Only about 200 students were admitted each year.
Those who graduated in the top three received an incredible benefit: they could be officially recognized by the imperial family as the first heir of their family.
Regardless of gender or birth order.
In other words, even girls could become the first heir—a rare and powerful opportunity.
That’s why children from families with fierce succession battles worked desperately to place in the top ranks.
However, few girls were admitted, and even fewer made it into the top rankings. So in practice, the school became a stepping stone for second or third sons trying to beat their older siblings.
“If it’s you, Liet, I’m sure you’ll make it.”
The Duke’s support ignited Liet’s determination.
Then she suddenly turned her head and saw Evan listening to their conversation with interest.
“Hey, Evan.”
“Yeah?”
“Now that I think about it, why are you going to the noble academy?”
At first, Liet thought Evan wouldn’t go.
He didn’t have to compete with siblings for inheritance, he had no need to build connections since people flocked to him anyway, and he already had the best tutors at home.
To be honest, Liet wasn’t thrilled about Evan going.
If a monster like him entered, it’d make things harder for her. Only three spots were available at the top, and Evan was sure to take one.
“Because you’re going.”
Liet was speechless for a moment at Evan’s calm answer.
What a lunatic.
She barely held back the words boiling inside her. No way could she curse like that in front of the Duke.
Still, she truly couldn’t understand Evan.
Sure, he had followed her around like a baby chick since they were young, even when she yelled or cursed at him—but she didn’t think it would continue this far.
‘No way he’s going to be like this even as an adult… right?’
Just then—
“Ah, sorry, but we’ll have to cut today’s lesson short.”
“Huh? Why?”
As Liet pulled out her writing tools, the Duke replied with an awkward smile.
“My younger brother just contacted me—he’s coming to visit the estate today.”
“Your brother?”
“Yes. Haart is my only sibling, and he’s been managing the Croyt territory in my place. He said something came up and he had to come to the capital.”
Too bad, but it couldn’t be helped.
Liet nodded—then suddenly paused, like she remembered something.
She mouthed the name Haart to herself.
‘Haart… Haart…’
It sounded like someone just stretched out the word heart.
But that wasn’t the important part. What mattered was—she thought she’d seen the name in the book.
There was a portion of the novel she had skimmed through: the male lead’s backstory.
Since she didn’t like Evan much and that part wasn’t interesting, she hadn’t read it carefully.
Still, the name Haart stood out, so she vaguely remembered it.
Was he just a passing side character?
While Liet was thinking about that, the lesson ended early, and the Duke left quickly to meet his brother.
With her purpose for being there gone, Liet was about to leave too when—
“Stay for dinner, Liet.”
Evan stopped her.
A few years ago, if this happened, their exchange would’ve been:
“Why would I?!”
“…Because you’re hungry, Liet…”
But now, Evan didn’t get flustered or shrink back, even when she snapped at him.
He no longer let her push him around—and Liet knew it.
“Tonight’s menu is tomato gratin.”
On the contrary, Evan had learned how to handle Liet. She was weak to food.
Though she was a noble lady, her parents were strict about her health, so she’d always had bland meals at home.
But at the Croyt estate, there were no such restrictions.
Whenever Liet came for her weekend lessons, the house would prepare delicious meals to tempt her.
“They used the cheese you liked last time—goat’s cheese.”
“…”
“It’s that same creamy one.”
“Let’s go.”
As expected, Evan smiled, covering his mouth as if to say, I knew it.
Liet shot him a fierce glare, then turned on her heel and walked out first.
Even without Evan’s guidance, she made her way naturally toward the dining room—like someone who actually lived in the estate.
She even knew the names of all the staff now.
Not just the people—but also every room and corner of the mansion.
She knew what was where and what each space was used for.
‘Except for one room.’
She still didn’t know what that room was—the one where she injured her foot while playing hide-and-seek with Evan seven years ago.
Back then, she thought it was just a storage room. But now that she recalled the elegant decor and well-placed furniture, it looked more like someone had used it.
Since it crossed her mind, she decided to ask Evan.
“Evan.”
“Yeah?”
Evan looked up from his chair in the dining room.
“That room where I hurt my foot—remember?”
“…Yeah.”
Evan didn’t like talking about that incident.
Liet knew he still felt overly guilty about it, so she hadn’t brought it up before. But today was different.
Her curiosity came before his feelings.
“That wasn’t a storage room, was it? What was it used for?”
“It was my mother’s room.”
Liet froze, her hand suspended in midair with a spoonful of gratin.
Why hadn’t she thought of that?
His mother had died so long ago, it never even crossed her mind.
“…Sorry.”
She apologized quietly. But Evan shook his head.
“It’s okay. Thanks to you, I was able to step out of her shadow. I’m fine talking about it now.”
His gentle words quickly eased Liet’s guilt.
“Good to hear!”
And she resumed eating. A string of cheese stretched and snapped—disappearing into Liet’s mouth.
‘Delicious!’
The sweet tomato sauce and savory cheese blended together to create a burst of joy on her palate.
As Liet closed her eyes to savor the flavor, Evan spoke up again.
“Can I ask you something now, Liet?”
