Chapter 6
“What is it?”
“Do you like dressing like that, Riette?”
At Evan’s ambiguous question, Riette set her spoon down on the table and looked at him.
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
Riette was an extremely practical person.
Her hair was as red as her eyes and always drew attention wherever she went. When static clung to her long, wavy hair, it was impossible to deal with.
Once, she tried to cut it all off, but her mother found out and hid every pair of scissors in the house.
Since she was too lazy to look for one back then, she gave up, and from then on, usually tied her hair up high in a bun.
Her clothing was the same.
Other noble ladies wore extravagant dresses, satin gloves, and carried tiny parasols that served no real function.
It wasn’t that Riette thought those things were bad, but they were clearly suited for girls whose main activities were socializing and staying indoors.
But Riette enjoyed more than just indoor pursuits like reading and studying—she liked fencing, archery, and horseback riding.
So unless it was a special occasion, she naturally dressed in shirts and pants, just like boys.
“I like it when you dress like that, Riette.”
“I’m not dressing like this for you! It’s just comfortable.”
Flustered, Riette glared at him. Evan handed her a glass of water.
“I hope you keep dressing like this even when you enter the noble school.”
At his inexplicable words, Riette narrowed her eyes and stared at him.
She already knew this style would draw attention since it wasn’t typical for noble girls.
But right now, her life consisted of just going between her house and Evan’s estate—there was no need to dress formally.
Most of her outdoor activities were also within the Kroyt estate grounds anyway.
Of course, she wouldn’t dress like this in public settings.
She hadn’t really thought much about what to wear when school started, but thanks to Evan’s comment, now her mind was spinning.
Still, Riette opened her mouth as if she had already thought about this.
“What, you think I’m stupid? Of course I won’t dress like this at school.”
Evan hesitated, then made eye contact with her.
“But, did you know, Riette?”
“Know what?”
“That 95% of the students at Truto Public Noble School are boys?”
Just as Evan said, the school was made up mostly of boys.
Most noble girls aimed for a successful marriage, so they focused on bride training or learning social graces.
Unless they had a special goal like Riette, there was no reason for them to attend school.
“Of course I know.”
“So maybe it’s better to keep dressing like you do now? If you show up in a dress, you’ll stand out even more.”
That made sense. But between a noble girl dressing like a boy, and being the only girl among all those boys—what would stand out more?
Riette pondered Evan’s question seriously.
“And…”
“And?”
“You might seem a bit… vulnerable.”
Evan’s casually tossed remark hit Riette like a flaming arrow.
“…Vulnerable?”
“A girl all dolled up in a dress among boys. Don’t you think they’d see you as someone to protect first, not as a competitor?”
It was… a convincing argument.
“It’s just a personal thought, Riette.”
It was like he was saying, “It’s your choice.”
But the way he backed out of the conversation so easily left Riette feeling annoyed.
‘If you’re going to persuade me, then see it through to the end!’
He dropped a difficult issue in her lap and smiled like it was nothing.
Even though Riette had mostly come around to his point, she still felt he was being cheeky.
She decided she needed to punish Evan.
“Evan.”
“Yes, Riette?”
He even looked cheerful.
When Evan was in a good mood, his smile deepened and his eyes curved gently.
“Do you like what you’re wearing?”
Riette shot the question back at him.
“Huh…?”
“I asked if you like your outfit right now.”
Evan tilted his head, confused, and looked down at his clothes.
Understandable. His outfit was nothing special—just the typical attire of a noble boy, albeit expensive.
“I think there’s something that would suit you better.”
“…What is it?”
He asked nervously. Riette gave him a mischievous grin.
She stood up, put her spoon down, and grabbed Evan by the wrist.
Just then, the head maid was walking by.
“Emma!”
The maid, Emma, turned around at Riette’s call.
“Yes, Lady Riette?”
“Emma, can I borrow some makeup and clothes for a bit?”
“You may, but… are they for you, my lady?”
“They’re not for me! Thank you, Emma!”
Riette moved to walk off, but Evan didn’t budge.
“Riette, no way…!”
“Just once!”
Riette held up a playful finger.
“Haa…”
With a small sigh, Evan let himself be dragged along.
When they arrived at Emma’s room, Riette burst through the door and headed straight for the vanity.
It didn’t have as many cosmetics as those of a typical noble lady, but it was enough.
She sat Evan down at the vanity and pinned his bangs to the side.
His perfectly balanced features looked like they were fighting for dominance.
And his skin—so clear and pale—would’ve made any noble girl demand his skincare routine if she saw him up close.
“I’ll make you look so pretty, Evan!”
Riette always got nervous watching Evan grow more masculine.
She really wanted to see him cross-dress at least once while he still had that delicate face.
And now was the perfect chance.
“You have to do this, don’t you, Riette?”
“Yup.”
At her firm reply, Evan gave up and closed his eyes.
With a sparkle in her eyes, Riette began applying makeup to his fair face.
His already pale complexion turned even brighter.
‘Mm, I like this!’
Next, she shaped his eyebrows and added color to his cheeks.
Evan’s face gradually transformed under her skilled hands.
Finally, she added lipstick to finish the look.
“…You look like a doll.”
Riette marveled at her creation. If a girl like this existed, she would’ve been considered a legendary beauty.
“Done now?”
Evan asked in a tired voice. But Riette shook her head.
“Nope. I told you, Evan. There’s an outfit that suits you even better.”
Smiling sweetly, Riette went to Emma’s closet and pulled out a maid uniform.
The outfit was a black dress with a white apron.
As Evan started to back away, Riette lunged.
“If we’ve come this far, we have to see it through!”
Just as she reached for his shirt collar—
“Riette!”
Evan grabbed both of her wrists.
Startled, Riette tried to pull free, but Evan’s grip was firm.
“L-Let go, will you?!”
She had only meant to tease him, but now looked at Evan in surprise.
Somehow, his face seemed more flustered than hers.
“Riette.”
Evan called her softly. His dark eyes locked with hers.
“I’m not a kid anymore.”
Still in his grip, Riette shouted.
“Then what, are you an adult?!”
He was only fourteen!
Having known Evan since he was little—and being on her second life—Riette couldn’t help but still see him as a kid.
“I didn’t mean it like that…!”
Evan bit his lip in frustration, then released her wrists.
Now free, Riette gave his chest a thump.
“Just because you’re a bit bigger, you think you can use brute strength?”
“You attacked me first!”
“Attacked?! I was just trying to tease you!”
Evan ruffled his hair in frustration.
“Haa…”
With a long sigh, he got up and opened the door.
Before leaving, he turned and looked at Riette.
“I’m going to rest. Be careful on your way back, Riette.”
Left alone, Riette furrowed her brow.
‘Was that really something to get so worked up about?’
Back home, the Duchess of Meren greeted her.
“Riette! You’re just getting home?”
“Yes, I had dinner with Evan.”
“What a surprise. The two of you had a meal together—especially when the Duke of Kroyt wasn’t around.”
“You knew the Duke wasn’t home?”
Riette looked surprised.
“Of course. Your father went to meet Lord Haart with him.”
“You know the Duke’s younger brother too?”
“Yes, I’ve met him a few times.”
Riette had wanted to ask Evan about Haart earlier but forgot.
Thinking of how serious Evan had looked brought her mood down again.
But she quickly shook her head. She didn’t want to keep thinking about him even at home.
Riette took the duchess’s hand and sat with her on the sofa in the hall.
“What kind of person is Lord Haart?”
“Well… he didn’t leave a strong impression.”
Unfortunately, the Duchess didn’t seem to remember him well.
‘So he really was just a minor character?’
As Riette mulled over the book’s story, the duchess leaned in close.
“By the way, Riette.”
“Yes?”
“Are you really going to attend the noble school?”
At the sudden question, Riette’s eyebrows twitched.
“Not this again?”
“Not this again! I’m just worried about my daughter.”
“There’s nothing to worry about. Nothing bad will happen.”
Riette patted the duchess’s hand reassuringly.
The Duchess of Meren had always opposed Riette going to the noble school and inheriting the title.
She had grown up in a very conservative household and knew the noble school wasn’t as genteel as it seemed.
Even her younger brother had dropped out of it after failing to adjust.
That left a deep impression on her.
“There will be mostly boys there. It’ll be much harder for you.”
“I already told you. I aim to become a noble council member beyond just a duchess. If I can’t handle school, how could I ever achieve that?”
Even with Riette’s bold declaration, the duchess’s expression remained clouded.
“Who do you take after, I wonder…”
Sorry as it was to say, neither parent was the answer.
She had been a college student in Korea, died in a car accident, and was now reincarnated into a book.
“Obviously, I take after the queen of this house!”
At Riette’s playful words, the duchess finally smiled again.
Then suddenly, as if remembering something, she stopped stroking Riette’s hair.
“Oh, by the way, Riette. Did you know—”
