Chapter 289: A Friend’s Blessing
“Anna? Are you crying?”
Evelia gently held Anna’s hands and wiped away the tears that had fallen on them.
“Uh—yes, sorry…”
Anna pulled one hand back to wipe the tears from the corners of her eyes. But she seemed too emotional, and even though she tried to hold back the tears, they still filled her eyes.
“Haha—um, this is something to be happy about, right?”
Anna patted her face to cheer herself up. Her eyes were still red, but she looked a bit better than before.
“It’s okay, Anna.”
Evelia took a tissue from the box on the table and helped Anna dry her tears.
“Mr. Armand once told me these are tears of joy. So I know you’re happy for me. Thank you, Anna. I’m happy too, because you’re happy for me.”
“Ah, mm… ugh… uuuhhh—”
Anna really was happy. And when Evelia helped wipe her tears, she tried to stop herself from crying even more. But—
“Uwaaahh—Miss Evelia, that’s not fair!”
As soon as Evelia said those words, Anna’s tears started falling even harder.
“—Anna?”
Suddenly, Anna threw herself forward and hugged Evelia tightly. Evelia had the reflexes to dodge, but she didn’t. She simply accepted the hug.
“Uuuu—waaaaahhh—how can you say something so touching—! Uuuu—I really am happy for you, Miss Evelia!”
Anna hugged Evelia tightly. Her tears flowed like a fountain, just like in a comic, along with loud crying that Evelia found a bit noisy. Even so, Evelia gently patted her back, patiently comforting her.
Maybe it was because she was now the one standing by Armand’s side. The current Evelia also wanted to become someone gentle and kind.
Just like a spring breeze warming everyone’s heart during a cold autumn day…
After all, it was kindness like this that had helped her walk out of her own darkness.
Or maybe… Evelia had always been a gentle person. And now, her true feelings were finally starting to show.
She wanted to share the happiness she had experienced… and give it to others too.
Of course, this didn’t mean she planned on sharing Mr. Armand himself. That man, her lover, her one and only love, could only belong to her alone.
“I’m really, really happy I got to witness your happiness in person, Miss Evelia… Really. I’m so happy.”
“Mm, thank you.”
Evelia could feel Anna trembling slightly as she cried, and her heart filled with a warm feeling she couldn’t quite describe.
“I’m happy too. I’m really glad you’re my friend.”
“Uuuu, Miss Evelia… why are you so good with words… uuuu…”
Ding-ling.
Just as Anna was still crying while hugging Evelia, the bell above the shop’s door rang softly.
Anna, who had her back to the door, didn’t notice someone had walked in. But Evelia looked up and clearly saw the tall figure standing at the entrance.
“Eve.”
A gentle and familiar voice rang in her ears. Evelia’s eyes lit up immediately.
Anna, hearing the voice, quickly let go of the hug and turned away from Armand to wipe her red eyes, trying her best to act like a proper lady.
“Mr. Armand, what brings you here?”
Evelia gently patted Anna on the shoulder and walked to Armand’s side. He was still cold from the chilly wind outside, a sharp contrast to Evelia, who was warm from the store’s heating.
“Because I just knew you’d be here.”
Armand lowered his head and looked at Evelia. Evelia naturally lifted her hand and used her warm palm to warm Armand’s cheeks, which had turned red from the cold wind.
“Looks like you two are getting along well? Did you give her the invitation?”
Armand was wearing a thick coat with a furry collar. He held Evelia’s hand, the one she had placed on his cheek, and gently rubbed it in his hands. Slowly, the coldness in his fingers started to be replaced by Evelia’s warmth.
“Mm. I already gave my invitation to Anna. Anna, you’ll come, right?”
Anna had just been crying, feeling very touched and emotional. Her face still looked a bit pitiful, but when she saw Evelia and Armand standing so naturally and happily together, her heart filled with joy.
Seeing her friend so deeply in love, wasn’t that something to smile about?
“Mm, of course.”
Anna smiled as she looked at Evelia and Armand glowing like characters in a romance novel.
Those stories always had the main couple go through a lot, but in the end, they’d always be together.
At first, when Evelia mentioned her situation, Anna thought she might be a tragic woman, someone trying to seduce a man for some unknown reason. Anna had even worried that the man might be someone strange or dangerous.
Later, when she learned Evelia’s target was Armand, the captain of the knights, she started to think differently. As a fashion designer who always appreciated good looks, Anna instinctively felt that Armand seemed like a kind person.
Luckily, through her cousin Carle, she found out that Armand really was a man you could trust with your life.
Everything Anna did afterward, of course, it was all for Evelia.
Because it was simple, Anna was Evelia’s friend. She liked being friends with Evelia. There didn’t need to be a special reason, maybe it was just fate.
Just like it was destiny for Evelia to be with Armand, it was also destiny for Anna to become Evelia’s friend.
“I’ll definitely be there, Miss Evelia, and Mr. Armand, and I’ll absolutely come to your wedding too! I’ve prepared so many wedding dresses! When you both have time, you have to try some of them on! Also, Mr. Armand, stop wearing your knight uniform all the time. Wear the wedding clothes I designed for you both instead!”
“Mm. Then we’ll count on you.”
Armand nodded with a smile and helped Evelia put on the heavy coat she had left on the sofa. Even the coat Evelia was wearing now had been a gift from Anna.
“See you, Anna.”
“Mm, bye-bye, Miss Evelia. Congratulations to both of you!”
Evelia waved to Anna and, holding Armand’s hand, walked out of the shop under Anna’s warm and happy gaze.
“How does it feel?”
Once outside, Armand gently held Evelia’s hand. The cold wind was still blowing, just like when he came. But somehow, maybe because Evelia was by his side, the wind didn’t feel so cold anymore.
“You mean...?”
Evelia tilted her head and leaned against Armand’s shoulder.
“The feeling of being blessed by a friend.”
“Mm...”
Evelia tucked half of her face into her fluffy collar and nodded slightly.
“It made me happy. I think Anna... must be happy too.”
“Of course. That’s what friends do, they feel truly happy for someone they care about. It’s a nice feeling, isn’t it?”
Armand smiled with squinted eyes. With his furry collar, he looked just like a big, soft stuffed animal.
“Mm, it really is...”
At those words, a gentle smile appeared at the corner of Evelia’s lips, hidden in her collar.
“Getting to know everyone... really makes me happy.”