The Person I Loved Hated Me - Chapter 12

This was the first time I’d ever been invited to a commoner’s home. Even after becoming a knight, Eivard, being of noble birth, had never socialized with colleagues and their families.

If he was invited anywhere, it was to the mansions of his noble-born superiors. To put it bluntly, everything he knew about ordinary commoner households came from his duties, and he didn’t truly understand them.

Following Franz’s advice, he brought a type of alcohol they might like. Unsure if Clara drank, he also brought baked goods. Franz was supposed to arrive later, as his fiancée was apparently baking bread for him.

This dinner seemed to be a thank-you for helping Clara. He didn’t need such a thing just for her being safe, but his heart lifted at the thought of seeing her again after so long.

Yet, he couldn’t just be happy. After all, his primary mission was to demean Clara.

To make Clara dislike him, to sever the affection she directed his way, Eivard had to harshly criticize the food she personally prepared for him, saying things like, “This is disgusting. How can anyone eat this?”

She would surely be sad. She might even be disillusioned by his insincere attitude and throw a glass of water in his face.

But that was the correct outcome, Eivard resolved, as he visited their home.

When he knocked on the door on the second floor of the apartment building, Clara, all smiles, popped out immediately with a “Welcome!” The force of her waiting right at the door made all his planned thoughts vanish completely.

“Thank you for the invitation. Here.”

“Thank you! Oh, alcohol, and something that smells wonderful. Could this be?”

“Apple pie. I hope it suits your taste.”

“I love it!”

Beaming a full-faced smile at him, Eivard mistakenly thought this “I love it” was directed at him, and was so shocked he was left speechless.

“You knew I loved apple pie? I’m so happy!”

As he was captivated by Clara’s cheerful demeanor, a large man appeared behind her. “Don’t make a racket at the entrance. Aren’t you going to invite our guest in?” It was Isaac.

Clara started, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, and ushered Eivard inside. “Please, come in.”

“Please wait here.”

Her usually loose brown hair was tied up. A stray strand hung down, alluringly.

Following her suggestion, he sat in the dining room and watched the two standing in the kitchen.

Their backs were turned, both wearing identical aprons. The smell of roasting garlic teased his appetite. Witnessing their harmonious atmosphere made him envious, and for some reason, he felt a loneliness as if he were the only one left alone in the world.

As he silently observed them, “Sorry to keep you waiting!” Franz entered without even being greeted by the hosts, making himself at home. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted from the paper bag in his hand.

With Franz’s arrival, the dinner party began.

The main dishes were sautéed chicken, pork, and beef. The chicken had a citrus sauce, the pork a sweeter one, and the beef was seasoned generously with salt, pepper, and garlic. There was a colorful salad, bean soup, freshly baked bread. The alcohol Eivard brought was also poured.

“Once again, thank you so much for helping me the other day. It’s late, but this is a thank you from me and my brother, Isaac.”

“No, I…”

Here, Eivard finally remembered his mission and tried to deny it. But Isaac cut over his words, saying, “From me as well, thank you again. I’m grateful you saved my sister.”

It was different from the plan, but Isaac’s purple gaze seemed to say this was fine. He probably didn’t want his precious sister hurt after all.

It was a sentiment consideration that didn’t exist in the place Eivard was born, but he had learned such a thing existed after leaving home and interacting with his knight comrades.

While Eivard felt relieved he wouldn’t have to hurt Clara here and now, his eyes darkened at his own cunning, feeling pleased by this convenient turn of events.

“And Franz, congratulations on your marriage! I’m looking forward to the ceremony!”

“Thanks. Oh, Captain, please attend too. I’m preparing the seat next to Clara for you.”

Completely oblivious, Franz casually dropped this bombshell. Eivard was at a loss for how to respond, and Isaac exclaimed urgently, “Franz!?” Clara, though embarrassed, quietly said, “Thank you,” and bowed.

※

After the enjoyable dinner ended, Clara waved from the second-floor window, seeing off Eivard and Franz until the very end.

The moment their backs disappeared into the darkness, her smile vanished.

“I wonder if we’ll meet again.”

Eivard, whom she hadn’t seen in so long, looked haggard and very tired. Probably work was busy, just as Isaac said.

She wanted to believe that was the reason they couldn’t meet, but she also felt that Isaac, worrying about her, saying something to Eivard was another reason they hadn’t seen each other.

He probably told him not to give her the wrong idea or something, and Eivard, being told so, likely agreed.

Had their hearts grown closer? She’d gotten a little carried away thinking that, but to Eivard, Clara was only that much.

Today might be the end of their relationship. That’s why she made all three seasoning variations she had learned for the main dish.

When Isaac asked, “Why three types?” she answered, “Because today might be the first and last time.” Isaac gasped and was left speechless. But figuring it was about time Eivard arrived, she peeked out the window and, seeing him approach just at the right moment, waited for him right by the door.

“There’s a huge wall between me and Lord Eivard, so it can’t be helped.”

There was a very large wall between nobles and commoners. Clara could not enter Eivard’s world.

“I knew it, but it still hurts.”

She understood about social status. Even so, it was Clara herself who wanted to enjoy being in love. The pain, the hardship, the loneliness it was all her own choice. She properly understood that, but because she truly loved him, her chest felt tight.

At work, when people said, “You’re a handsome man and a beautiful woman, a perfect match,” she was only happy at first. As time passed, the words felt superficial.

It was true she was initially captivated by his face, but it wasn’t just that. Him helping her, worrying about her. Tending to her wounds, walking together, seeing the same things, spending time laughing with each other. All of it was a treasure to Clara.

But that was only for now. Eventually, Eivard would marry a woman of suitable status for him and move forward into his future. Their lives were never meant to intersect in the first place.

Even though Isaac warned her, she was the one who said it was fine. So, she wouldn’t lament. She wouldn’t make Isaac worry. If she cried, she’d do it quietly, alone.

She only needed to show everyone her cheerful face.

“It’s fine for me to be the cheerful Clara, in love with love itself.”

Clara leaned against the windowsill, continuing to watch the back of Eivard as he melted away into the darkness.