Chapter 279: The Obvious Answer (Part 1)
"...What did you say...?"
Even a well-trained assassin would feel shaken in a moment like this.
Just a second ago, Evelia had felt warm and safe in Armand’s arms. But the moment he clearly said the words “Red Crow,” that warmth suddenly vanished, as if she had fallen into an icy pit. Even her fingertips went cold.
“...Mr. Armand, you're... joking, right?”
But this wasn’t a joke at all, and neither of them laughed.
Armand just looked at her quietly. Because no matter what kind of excuse she gave, the truth was already out.
“......”
Evelia didn’t know what to say. She trembled as she stepped back, moving away from the man she loved most, Mr. Armand.
She stared into Armand’s blue eyes, but she couldn’t understand what he was feeling anymore. She could no longer read what was in his heart.
Armand still didn’t speak. His mind was full of words he wanted to say, but he didn’t even know where to begin.
So annoying...
Why did he have to be so sensitive right now? Why did he have to remember such a small, useless detail? Why did all those little scenes suddenly come together at this exact moment?
He closed his eyes for a few seconds, as if trying to replay all their memories. Even though their time together hadn’t been long, he could say for sure. Those moments meant a lot to him. They were truly precious.
But—
“...Red Crow... So you’re the famous Red Crow.”
He said the codename softly, almost mumbling it. The curve of his smile looked forced and painful.
It was like he was laughing at his own feelings, how one-sided they had been. A few strands of hair fell over his forehead.
“...Haha. What a joke.”
He let out a dry, weak laugh and stood up, resting his weight on one arm.
“If you’re one of the Second Prince’s top agents, then you must have a very important mission, right?”
He took half a step toward Evelia, and she stepped back in response.
“So even the real Red Crow showed up in person. I guess the Second Prince really cares about this mission. So then, what is it?”
Step.
Armand took another step forward. The sound of his boot hitting the floor was light, but to Evelia, it felt heavy, full of pressure.
“Let me guess. Is it information about the Knights?”
Step.
“Is it royal secrets you’re after?”
Step.
“Or is it—”
Step.
“—my life.”
He kept walking, slowly pushing Evelia back toward the cabinet against the wall. There was still some space between them, but for Armand, closing that distance would take just one or two more steps.
All the earlier guesses had been questions. But when he finally pointed to himself, that last sentence wasn’t a question.
Even without thinking too hard, it was obvious. No matter what Red Crow’s mission really was, if she came here personally, it had to be related to him.
The Second Prince had never liked him. He was always finding excuses to cause “accidents” and trying every possible way to get rid of him. So this time, no matter what the mission started out as, it would surely include one goal in the end:
"Eliminate the captain of the Royal Knights."
So this was how it ended, after all.
Evelia… really did come here for his life.
“I’m right here, Red Crow.”
Just like before, Armand opened his arms.
“If you came here to kill me, I’m right here.”
If Armand had been calm enough to listen to himself, he would have noticed, even his breathing was shaking.
If Evelia really pulled a blade on him right now, maybe… maybe he wouldn’t even be able to react in time.
Because the one standing in front of him wasn’t just any enemy. She was the legendary assassin: Red Crow. And right now, Armand wasn’t even carrying a weapon, except the one hidden in his magical seal.
Usually, even when visiting the Crown Prince, he’d hide a dagger on him. But today, he came unarmed.
Because just minutes ago, he had believed this would be the most important day of his life. A day where sharp weapons had no place. He had even wished he could stuff his whole body with cotton, just to feel soft and warm, like a cozy, huggable doll.
But who would’ve thought… this “important day” would take such a turn.
The thing Armand feared most… had come true.
He had always worried, what if Evelia couldn’t escape the Second Prince’s control?
He had always hoped the Second Prince’s influence wasn’t too deep, that maybe he could still pull her out of that world.
That day, when she said she wanted to stay by his side, Armand had felt so much joy he could hardly hide it. He even had to cover his face with both hands, just to stop Evelia from seeing his excitement.
He thought… he finally had a chance.
But now, just as he was about to take out the ring—
The truth was revealed.
Evelia… was Red Crow.
But what Armand feared wasn’t the terrible things Red Crow had done. It wasn’t her frightening reputation.
It was her connection with the Second Prince.
Everyone knew the Second Prince had a powerful right hand, someone with the codename Red Crow.
For someone to become the Second Prince’s most trusted aide, they must be completely loyal.
And that, more than anything, was what crushed Armand.
He suddenly felt powerless. Like all the love he had given Evelia, everything he had done, had never really touched her heart. Like all of her feelings were just part of the mission. And his honest, devoted love had been trampled underfoot, like a joke.
That hope he had placed in “saving” her…
It turned out to be nothing but a sad fantasy.
He had thought he could rescue Evelia, as a way to make up for the regrets of his past. But now, looking back, all those beautiful memories felt like a dream, one soaked in sweet lies.
“Mr… Mr. Armand, I…”
He opened his arms to her again, showing her the heart that had beat so strongly for her all this time.
But Evelia… no longer had the courage to accept that hug.
The mighty Red Crow… now cornered by the Captain of the Royal Knights… looked like a scared kitten.
She never expected her identity, something she had hidden for almost a year, to be discovered by Armand.
And she definitely didn’t expect the reason to be something as small as the way she arranged things in the house, something Armand had noticed long ago when he was in that gray room.
‘You can change your eyes, your nose, and your mouth. But those habits deep in your bones… those can never be changed.’
That was what Armand had once told Evelia. And back then, she had been surprised, afraid that her habits would give her away.
But over time, she had let her guard down.
Just like how she slowly got used to the peaceful days by Armand’s side, that warmth made her feel safe… and she forgot to be careful.
And maybe, she had never expected that shadow in the dark… to be Armand.