Chapter 5: Titles
Evelia quietly followed behind Armand. She looked just like a normal maid, keeping her eyes straight ahead and staying close behind her master without making a sound.
Of course, she was also using this chance to observe Armand, who was walking ahead with his back to her.
As she looked at his tall figure, Evelia suddenly felt small for a moment. She couldn’t tell whether it was because of her height compared to the tall knight, or because she, who had now thrown away everything and was even ordered to get information at any cost, could no longer stand proudly in the light like he could.
Maybe she was now someone who would always stay in others’ shadows.
From the moment she arrived at the manor and introduced herself, to now walking outside with Armand, he had never once taken off his sword. Even when he took off his coat and was only wearing a shirt, that plain black sword still hung at his waist.
For someone who wanted to stay alive, that wasn’t something he could afford to let go of.
Armand knew very well that the Second Prince had been trying to kill him for a long time. With the excuse of moving houses, that man could have hidden all kinds of things, spies, traps, anything. Armand even wanted to tear the house apart brick by brick to check for hidden dangers.
Going out today wasn’t just to buy wine. He planned to buy the food himself too, because no one knew who the suppliers were or what might be mixed into the ingredients for tonight’s dinner.
He wanted to stay alive. But the person who might take his life was walking right behind him.
Evelia didn’t say a word. Her golden eyes stayed locked on the man in front of her, who carelessly showed his back to her. If her mission wasn’t about gathering information but about killing him, she would have already found her chance to strike.
“Is there anything you want?”
Just as Evelia was still thinking about what this man’s weakness could be, Armand turned around and caught her looking up and down at him. When their eyes met, Evelia tensed up a little without meaning to.
“No,” she replied. The more you react, the more suspicious you seem. So Evelia chose to respond with the same calm tone as before.
“You don’t like shopping?”
“We’re here to buy supplies, not to go shopping for fun.”
“Buying is buying, no matter what it is,” Armand said with a laugh, slowing down to walk beside Evelia.
“I’ve seen those noble ladies, they all love sweets. I know a famous dessert shop. Don’t you want to check it out? Since I used your excuse to get out of the house, I should thank you somehow. You can buy anything you like to eat.”
“I don’t like sweet things.”
As a skilled assassin, Evelia had strict rules about what she ate. She never had sweets growing up, so she had no interest in them now. They also didn’t eat much meat. First, to keep their bodies light and agile. Second, to avoid giving off a scent during stealth missions.
“Then what about accessories? Jewelry or gems?”
“I don’t like those things either.”
“Really? That’s rare. Most people like fancy things like that.”
“Well, you don’t like them either.”
As she said this, Evelia glanced at Armand, who wasn’t wearing a single decoration. If anyone else were in his position and had his wealth, even a low-key person would wear something to show off their status. But not Armand, he wouldn’t even decorate his sword.
“I’m different. I’m a man. I don’t need flashy things. Too many jewels just make you look fake.”
“I think so too.”
…Are you saying I’m not a man or something?
“Hah, you’re so young, yet you act like someone who’s already tired of the world. You look like you’re only around 20, or maybe not even 20 yet. This is the time in life to enjoy things. You should be having fun and treating yourself.”
“There’s no need to waste time on things like that.”
Armand looked at Evelia with surprise. She kept saying “no” with a blank face, rejecting everything.
He had only wanted to use this chance to learn a little about the likes and dislikes of the maid who might be working closely with him for a long time. But her cold attitude made him give up on that idea right away.
Back in the palace, Armand was quite popular. Many noble ladies tried to get close to him, so he believed most girls liked dressing up, eating sweets, and sometimes secretly competing with each other.
He thought maybe Evelia wasn’t the type who liked to fight with others, but at the very least, since she was a young and pretty girl, she should like sweets or nice clothes, right?
He didn’t expect her coldness to run so deep. She didn’t just treat others without emotion, she seemed to treat herself the same way.
“Sigh… don’t you have any hobbies at all?”
Armand rubbed his head with a tired look and let out a deep sigh.
“No,” Evelia replied with the same flat tone as before.
“Then, let me ask a different way. Is there anything you want to do? People need something to look forward to in life, right?”
‘If you mean something I want to do, then it would be seducing you and using you to bring down the First Prince.’
That was her top goal right now. But of course, she couldn’t say that out loud.
“For now, what I want most is for you to remember my name.”
So Evelia gave him a different answer.
After all, if she wanted him to care about her, it had to start with him remembering her name.
“……”
Armand paused for a second, blinked, and looked at her. Her face was blank, but her eyes were serious. He let out a cheerful laugh, just like before.
“Eve!”
“It’s Evelia, sir.”
“I know, I know. Evelia Croyelle, right?”
“…Ah.”
Evelia had been ready to argue with him for a while again about her name, but to her surprise, Armand said it correctly.
What? Did this guy suddenly grow a brain just from stepping outside and breathing some fresh air?!
Usually as calm as a machine, Evelia had already felt several strong emotions in just half a day. And now, for some strange reason, she even felt a strong sense of pride.
How odd…
No, wait.
Getting close to him is my mission.
Evelia lowered her eyes and looked at Armand’s outstretched hand. In her heart, she reminded herself, ‘Everything is for the Second Prince’s mission.’
For that, she will do whatever it takes.
With that thought in mind, she gently took Armand’s hand, rough with calluses and scars.
“Then from now on, let’s work well together, Eve!”
“Mm. I look forward to working with you, Mr. Armand.”
The two of them shook hands face-to-face. One without any expression, the other smiling brightly.
But in their hearts, they were both thinking the same thing.
—Let’s start by building trust.