Chapter 48: What He Likes, What She Likes
“Maybe… he actually likes you?”
Meanwhile, Evelia had returned to that same clothing store.
She wasn’t someone who talked much, and with her cold personality, it was hard for her to find people she could really talk to. Even though the maids in the manor were all good girls, the only person she could truly have a conversation with was the owner of this clothing store.
After all, all the advice and plans along the way came from this girl. You could say she had made a big contribution to Evelia and Armand’s relationship.
“Really? I feel like he’s always trying to avoid me.”
She thought back to how Armand had struggled in her arms. Even though in the end he did let her lick his ear once, it didn’t look like he really wanted it. In fact, he ran away after that.
“Is that so?” Anna fell into thought and stayed quiet for a moment. “Maybe he was just shy?”
“Shy?” Evelia tilted her head, confused. “He doesn’t seem like the kind of man who would be shy.”
To be honest, Evelia didn’t really understand what “shy” even meant. That word wasn’t even in her emotional dictionary. So from her point of view, she had no way of seeing that Armand might have been shy.
“Really? Then… could it really be that he’s into men?”
Anna brought up that idea again. After all, Evelia was such a beautiful and charming woman, how could any normal man not be attracted to her?
“What does he really like, usually?”
“Um…”
Evelia paused at that question. She thought hard, but couldn’t come up with anything that Armand especially liked.
His daily routine was very strict and organized. It felt like he had divided his time into neat little blocks, each one used for something specific. Nothing really stood out as a passion or hobby.
She had heard that Armand liked the cheap watered-down beer and snacks from the commoner district, but even that didn’t seem like a strong favorite. If he had the chance, he’d get some, but if not, he didn’t seem to miss them that much.
“If I have to say something he likes… maybe flowers?”
After thinking for a while, Evelia gave that answer.
She had heard that Armand often sat in the garden to admire the flowers. And the bunch she had picked seemed to be a kind of blue rose that Armand really liked. Because of that, Evelia had never dared to bring those carefully wrapped blue roses to him.
Although she tried hard to care for the flowers she had picked using methods from gardening books, the blue roses eventually withered during this long period of time. Still, she kept them in her room.
“Wow…”
Anna knew that anyone could love flowers, men or women. But if we assume that “the man Evelia is chasing might like other men,” then his love for flowers becomes a small piece of evidence to support that.
“Miss Evelia… that man of yours might really…”
“He’s not mine.”
Evelia was still being very serious about that point, showing just how stubborn she could be when she set her mind to something.
“Okay, okay, let’s not argue about that now. Ugh, anyway, this is scary, Miss Evelia. You’re not planning to marry a man who’s gay but keeps it hidden, are you?”
“A man who’s gay but keeps it hidden?”
“Yes, like marrying someone who can’t be open about who they really are. It usually ends up being very painful for the wife.”
“That doesn’t really matter,” Evelia said. “As long as I can win him over.”
“Oh my goodness, Miss Evelia…”
Hearing Evelia say something like that made the sweet shop owner feel touched. What kind of strong determination could make such an excellent woman like Evelia willingly choose to become the wife of a man who might like men? If it wasn’t for love, how could such a beautiful girl make that kind of sacrifice? In Anna’s heart, Evelia suddenly became noble and admirable.
“Ohhh… you really are amazing. To make such a sacrifice… you must be having a hard time. Sob sob sob… if you ever need anything, please just tell me. I’ll help you…”
Evelia hadn’t even said much yet, but Anna, with her strong imagination and deep empathy, had already started crying. She took out a small white handkerchief to wipe her tears and patted Evelia on the shoulder to cheer her up.
“Ah, thank you.”
Evelia didn’t really understand why Anna was crying, but she thought it was best to thank her anyway.
“That man of yours—”
“He’s not mine.”
“Then, Miss Evelia, would you let me see that knight of yours?”
“See him?”
“Yes! Gay men and straight men give off different vibes. I’ve run this clothing store for many years, I can tell at a glance. So if it’s okay, maybe you could ask him to come here. If I can see him in person, I’ll definitely be able to give you more helpful ideas.”
Actually, all of Anna’s advice so far had been pretty good. It was only because Evelia misunderstood some things about love that made Anna feel like her plans had all failed, and she even felt a bit guilty about it.
“But…”
Evelia hesitated. Even if she could invite him… bringing the captain of the knights to a place like this didn’t feel right. She had never planned to let Anna know that the one she was trying to win over was Armand. If she brought him here, a lot of trouble could come up. Just like she had said before, in the House of Nightingales’ missions, no one would clean up your mess for you.
“Is something bothering you?” Seeing Evelia hesitate, Anna’s mind started turning. “Wait… is he a public figure?”
“Yes.” Evelia nodded. That was exactly what was bothering her.
“It’s okay!” Anna quickly grabbed Evelia’s hands. “I can totally keep a secret, Miss Evelia! Even if it were the Crown Prince himself, I wouldn’t say a word. And celebrities always have messy love lives, rumors are everywhere! You really don’t need to worry. I promise I won’t ever tell anyone your name. I’ll keep your secret safe! The store will be open just for you that day!”
“……”
Evelia looked at Anna, who was making such a serious promise, and stayed silent for a moment.
If Anna really had a way to get Armand to come, it wouldn’t be impossible.
And even if something went wrong in the end, Evelia could handle it herself. Troubles that could be fixed with just a few lives were really no big deal for her.
“Okay, fine.”
Looking at the excited Anna, Evelia nodded and agreed.
“When I get the chance, I’ll bring him here to see you.”
On one side, Anna happily hugged Evelia, thankful that she trusted her. On the other side, Armand was already alone, quietly arriving at the best market in the area.
“Um, excuse me… do you have ketchup?” he asked the shopkeeper.
If Anna saw this scene, she would definitely say, “There’s no doubt, he is as straight as a man can possibly be.”