The Person I Loved Hated Me - Chapter 11

According to Franz, whom she’d started seeing occasionally since their reunion, Eivard seemed to enjoy the casual dining spots Franz recommended.

Upon learning this, Clara visited several times during lunch to sample the food.

“Hmm. With this, I think I can make dishes that would suit Lord Eivard’s taste too.”

She had assumed nobles like Eivard only ate luxurious meals commoners couldn’t afford, but it seemed Eivard, living in the knights’ dormitory, usually ate the same food as Franz and the others.

Having gathered that much information, there was no choice but to put it into action. He had saved her when she was about to be attacked and taken by Ahim. Though it felt like too much time had passed to thank him for that, if she had been waiting for Isaac to return, then it shouldn’t be a problem.

She had been told that Eivard disliked her, but she resolved herself that it was fine. After all, Eivard showed not a hint of such behavior and even visited Clara frequently, bringing small gifts.

They had walked through town together and visited a park blooming with seasonal flowers. “Is this a date?!” she got excited alone, and in Clara’s mind, she decided to count it as a date memory. They had sat together and eaten the cookies she offered, and there were even moments when their fingertips brushed slightly, so it might as well be a date.

She could justify it however she wanted. To avoid awkwardness, she decided to invite Franz along for a fun dinner party!

Once she had the idea, Clara immediately asked Isaac for help.

“As thanks for saving me, I want to invite Lord Eivard and Franz to dinner.”

Before work, as the two of them ate breakfast together, she told Isaac, who seemed so taken aback he just said “Huh?” and froze.

“I’m thinking of inviting them to dinner, so I want you to invite them for me.”

“What are you talking about? That was just work. There’s no need for thanks.”

“I know that. But I want to invite them.”

“So, we’re, well disliked.”

Seeing Isaac avert his eyes, Clara tilted her head, wondering if he had something to feel guilty about.

“I know that too. But I haven’t been able to see Lord Eivard since you came back.”

“It’s only been seven days since I returned. I think he’s too busy to entertain you, Clara?”

“That’s why I want to invite him to dinner.”

“I don’t get what you mean by ‘that’s why.'”

“That’s why! I thought even if he’s busy, dinner should be fine.”

“Even though we’re disliked?”

“But he’s kind to me. Isn’t it wonderful that he can be kind even to someone he dislikes? Or rather, a senior at work said, ‘You two seem to have a good vibe.’ I’m starting to think maybe Lord Eivard is beginning to have feelings for me.”

When she asked, “What do you think?” Isaac choked spectacularly.

“Hey, are you okay? Be careful. Wait, could it be? Did you talk to Lord Eivard about something?”

“…No, I didn’t.”

Clara noticed Isaac avoiding eye contact and narrowed her eyes.

This was a habit of his when he had something to feel guilty about or was hiding something. Clara crossed her arms and glared at Isaac.

“Don’t tell me you did something weird to Lord Eivard?”

“I didn’t, I absolutely didn’t!”

“Then why are you avoiding my eyes? I told you I’m not trying to do anything just because I like him. Are you planning to interfere with your little sister’s love life? If so, I won’t ask you for help and will just do it on my own.”

She could simply choose a day when Isaac was absent for dinner, and she could invite Eivard herself. She could even visit the knights’ headquarters and leave a letter.

“…Fine. I’ll try inviting them.”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to force yourself.”

“No, I’ll invite them. I’ll do it. So Clara, don’t go acting on your own. In return, well if it doesn’t work out, give up, okay?”

“Of course. I’m not thinking of forcing my home cooking on him. He might dislike commoners’ home-cooked meals, after all.”

That said, thanks to Franz, she had a perfect grasp of his preferences.

Clara, a maiden in love, was more proactive than Isaac knew.

※

“…So that’s what Clara said.”

After arriving at work, Isaac visited Eivard and summarized the events of that morning.

Eivard looked paler than the last time he had seen him, with a slightly haggard appearance. His body was his capital, but was he eating properly?

“Understood. I should refuse then. Or would it be better to accept the invitation and disparage her home cooking to make her dislike me?”

“Are you eating and sleeping properly?”

“Of course. More importantly, which option should I choose?”

“Are you busy with some difficult work?”

“No, no particular issues. So, which one?”

“Is that so? Well, I guess…”

Isaac, who was kind-hearted by nature, grew worried seeing Eivard’s shadowed, almost collapsing appearance.

It was the first time he had seen the man, who was always energetically throwing sarcastic remarks, in such a state. Wondering if it might be his fault, Isaac’s kind heart twinged with pain.

Just then, Franz showed up.

“Isaac, Captain! Good morning! I was coming to work from my girlfriend’s place and ran into Clara on the way. She invited me to a meal. She asked about the Captain’s availability, so I told her anytime works! Isaac, don’t hold back on the treat!”

Thanks to Franz’s cheerfulness from the morning, the option of having Eivard refuse was gone.

“…I see. So, I’ll end up being disliked by her face to face.”

Eivard muttered softly, and Isaac felt as if a spear had been thrust into his chest.