The Person I Loved Hated Me - Chapter 18

Soon it would be noon in the artisans’ district.

Clara was polishing a silver incense burner she had crafted for a commission when she heard her name called—”Clara!”—and stopped her work.

“It’s for you. A rich-looking customer is here asking for you specifically.”

The workshop where Clara worked as a metal engraver primarily took custom orders, but it also had a small attached shopfront.

Most of their customers were commoners, so the shop displayed items affordable to them.

Occasionally, customers asked for Clara by name. Usually, they were regulars. But her coworker, who was minding the shop, had said “rich” with a hint of sarcasm. That meant the customer’s interest wasn’t in the goods but in Clara herself.

This occasional occurrence created a rift between Clara and her coworkers especially the younger female engravers.

As adults, everyone maintained a polite facade on the surface, and they were all serious about their work with a strong sense of camaraderie. Clara didn’t want to worsen relationships, so she wasn’t happy about such customers, but since they could become good clients, she couldn’t brush them off either.

“Understood, I’ll go out front.”

“Why not charge him ten times the price and sell yourself along with it?”

Clara chuckled softly at the joke whispered in her ear.

“I’d get thrown out by the master.”

“Just pocket it yourself.”

With that, the coworker patted Clara’s chest and retreated into the workshop.

When Clara stepped into the shop, she found a well-dressed young man in his mid-twenties with golden hair and green eyes standing there. He looked familiar, and when he spotted Clara, his eyes softened.

“Welcome.”

“Hey, do you remember me?”

The one who approached her so casually, closing the distance, was the young man she had met only once by chance at Franz’s wedding celebration and whose name she didn’t even know. Seeing him in the daylight, his posture was strikingly elegant. Combined with his well-tailored clothes, he looked even more like nobility.

“We met the other day.”

That day, they had ended up talking about commoners’ weddings. They hadn’t even exchanged names, so why was he here? She felt a bit scared, but she couldn’t show that in front of a customer.

“I wanted to see you again, so I looked for you. I’m glad I found you.”

They had only met and spoken that one time. And that day, she had left through the back door. Had he followed her?

Uneasy, she pulled herself together and faced him with a customer-service smile.

“Is that so? And what are you looking for today?”

“Never mind the goods. I’d like to invite you to a meal as thanks for the other day. Clara, can you come out now?”

This was the first time she had been so boldly invited right after appearing in the shop. And he even knew her name, which she hadn’t told him. His attitude, as if being refused was unthinkable, was also frightening.

Sensing danger, Clara shook her head.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t engage in personal relationships with customers.”

“It’s fine, I really just want to thank you.”

“Then I’ll accept your sentiment.”

“Is that a refusal?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m refusing.”

She stated it clearly without making excuses about being at work. She worried he might take offense, but he didn’t seem bothered and continued, “In that case…”

“I’ll talk to your supervisor. Could you call the person in charge?”

He had seemed nice when they met the other day, but how pushy he was now! So, shocked she was speechless, he smiled and peered into Clara’s eyes.

“What’s wrong? If a purchase is necessary, I’ll buy every item here.”

So, he meant that after she called the supervisor, she should accompany him to a meal. He must be arrogant by nature. She didn’t want to get involved, but if she refused further and angered him, who knew what he might do? She absolutely didn’t want to cause trouble for her beloved workplace.

Though irritated, Clara put on the brightest smile she could muster.

“Thank you for your purchase!”

Wondering who on earth he was and thinking he should introduce himself properly, she called for the master, the workshop’s supervisor.

※

The man who bought all the items displayed in the shop introduced himself as Dian. Surprisingly, he had attendants waiting outside, and after entrusting them with the payment and collecting the goods, he immediately took Clara’s hand. When she tried to pull away, a carriage stopped right in front of them, and she was swept inside as if it were the most natural thing.

They were taken to an upscale restaurant that commoners could afford but only visited on special occasions. Though she had been anxious, fearing kidnapping, it turned out to be unnecessary worry.

All the customers wore beautiful clothes with perfect hairstyles. Meanwhile, Clara, who hadn’t planned to be in the shop, was in her everyday attire. Since she never knew when she might run into Eivard, she always dressed neatly. Still, it wasn’t appropriate for this place. She had at least removed her apron, but she was completely out of place. Being led to a private room was her only saving grace.

The food Dian had chosen looked delicious, and she ate while keeping an eye on him, but her mixed feelings of tension and wariness kept her from enjoying it.

Earlier, she had let him impulsively buy everything, but most of the displayed pieces were meant for commoners. She doubted a noble, who probably always had attendants would want or wear such things.

Since the artisans had put their hearts into making them, she wanted them to be bought by people who truly desired them. Only now did she regret having let her anger push her too far, and she secretly sighed.

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”

“Not at all.”

Dian, sitting across from her, ate with elegant movements. His hands were pale and very beautiful.

Even among nobles, he was completely different from Eivard.

Eivard, being a knight, had hard, thick hands. His arms and body were sturdy and he wasn’t arrogant. Even when dealing with people he disliked, he never showed it, not even a hint, and carried out his duties without causing trouble or saying anything upsetting. He would come check on her if he was worried, and if she invited him, he would respond and spend time with her. Above all, he made Clara feel happy.

But the man before her was a noble entirely unlike Eivard, and the harmless aura he had the night they met was gone, leaving Clara dominated by tension.

“Then, does it not suit your taste?”

Dian seemed amused. Unlike Isaac, he didn’t eat heartily. Though he occasionally glanced down, he was always watching Clara, making her uneasy under his gaze.

“More than the taste, it’s just sudden. You’re someone I only spoke with briefly, almost a stranger. It would be strange not to be nervous. And I think it also depends on who you’re eating with.”

“The taste changes depending on your dining companion?”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“I see, indeed. Eating with someone you don’t know well would make anyone too tense to taste anything.”

Instead of taking offense at Clara’s assertion, Dian nodded and drank some water. “That’s true, yes.”

“Then let me introduce myself. My name is Dian, I’m twenty-five. I work at the castle. I enjoy strolls and the stories told by the owner of the shop where we met. I dislike noisy old men’s lectures.”

Dian formed a soft smile, and his eyes urged Clara, “Your turn.”

“You already know, right?”

“My name is Clara. I’m eighteen, living with my older brother. Unmarried. I work as a metal engraver at a workshop in the artisans’ district. That’s all I know. You just thought that was creepy, didn’t you?”

It must have shown on her face. Since it was true and too late to hide it, she replied honestly, “Yes.”

“How did you find out?”

“I had people look into it. Fortunately, the place we met was at a knight’s wedding celebration, so it was relatively easy to find out. I was just busy, so I couldn’t come see you until today.”

That wasn’t fortunate for Clara. She wished he had never come to see her at all. It was good that he was honest, but he probably didn’t care at all how the other person might feel. A self-centered person. That’s what comes from being raised in that kind of world, she supposed.

“So, what do you like?”

Was he deliberately not asking what she disliked? He must have already guessed the answer.

“Metal engraving.”

“Huh, wonderful. You’ve made your passion your work.”

“Yes, that’s right. And I’d like to return to that beloved work soon, if that’s all right?”

“Dessert is coming, so let’s talk a bit more.”

Being stared at so intently made it impossible to refuse.

She thought, well, maybe just until dessert, but what arrived was an incredibly delicious chocolate ice cream.