The Person I Loved Hated Me - Chapter 6

Beside Eivard, who was lost in his own troubled thoughts, Franz abruptly confessed, “I’ve decided to get married.”

Eivard was taken aback by this unexpected happy news from his subordinate, whom he hadn’t even known had a woman in his life to consider marriage with. Just as he was processing this, Clara exclaimed in a high-pitched voice, “Really? Congratulations!”

“What’s she like?”

“She’s five years older than me, a beauty who works at the royal castle. You and Isaac should come to the ceremony.”

“I’ll definitely go! This will be my first time attending a wedding. I’m looking forward to it!”

So, it seemed his subordinate was getting married. Eivard hadn’t even known Franz was seeing anyone.

So, he’s getting married, huh. Realizing this meant Franz had no special feelings for Clara, Eivard felt relieved.

No, why should he feel relieved? He had just concluded that he and Clara had no future together. At the very least, he wanted Clara to meet a good partner and find happiness.

Yet, part of him couldn’t genuinely wish for that.

“Franz, you really do like older women, don’t you?”

“I’m the type who wants to be pampered.”

Well now, it seemed his subordinate preferred older women and had a clingy nature.

Though it seemed like trivial information, Eivard was actually relieved to learn that Franz didn’t have feelings for Clara and that Clara showed no shock whatsoever about Franz’s marriage, confirming there were no romantic feelings between them.

“What kind of women do you like, Captain?”

Franz had suddenly turned the conversation to him. And about his preferences in women? It was obvious, and Franz must have already noticed, so why would he ask such a thing in front of Clara?!

Eivard panicked internally but didn’t let it show, taking a sip of tea instead.

He could feel Clara’s intense gaze on him.

“Well… I suppose cheerful women?”

He thought he’d given a safe, noncommittal answer, but Clara broke into a radiant smile.

“Clara, despite how he looks, the Captain doesn’t have a single rumor about him with women.”

“…Is that true?”

Clara looked up at him with questioning eyes. Her overwhelming cuteness made Eivard feel this was dangerous, and he closed his eyes briefly.

“I don’t think that’s the case?”

“Oh, it definitely is. Despite having plenty of options, you turn down every woman who approaches you, don’t you?”

That was because getting involved in troublesome situations would be a hassle.

As a member of the Trulin Marquis family, Eivard couldn’t afford to make mistakes.

If he responded to every flirtatious glance, it would lead to disaster. Besides, he’d never even had anyone who caught his interest. Coming to this realization, Eivard finally understood why he had no rumors about him.

This made him seem like a completely unattractive man.

He was curious about Clara’s reaction, and when he glanced at her, she was murmuring while holding her chest, “So you’re a sincere person.”

Eivard was anything but sincere. If he were, he wouldn’t have vented his frustrations on Isaac or looked down on a woman he’d never met as a mistress’s child.

Feeling the gaze of the first person he’d ever fallen for, Eivard was weighed down by guilt, his chest tightening. He was being made to understand what it truly meant to like someone.

“I’m not the man you imagine me to be.”

Clara offered him unconditional affection. As the recipient, Eivard couldn’t help but feel apologetic that he fell short of her expectations.

To change the subject, Eivard took another sip of tea and straightened his posture.

“There’s something I need to report.”

With Eivard’s words, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Franz straightened up as well, and Clara’s cheerful expression vanished as she looked directly at Eivard.

“I’ve released Ahim, the one who attacked you.”

Although Ahim had been caught red-handed assaulting Clara, it wasn’t actually a very serious crime. Perhaps having expected this, Clara simply replied, “Yes,” without a single complaint.

“He’s suspected of being involved in other cases. While he probably won’t cause trouble immediately after being released, it’s not certain, so please be careful.”

“Understood.”

Was she refraining from asking about the other cases because she sensed he couldn’t say? Her innocence and cheerfulness still revealed a keen intelligence. Was this Isaac’s influence? Or perhaps she’d been taught about knight affairs.

The decision to release Ahim was Eivard’s own. Though he hesitated to free the man who had assaulted Clara, he decided to let him go since he was suspected of involvement in illegal drug trafficking.

Originally, they were supposed to catch the transaction in progress yesterday, but it was canceled due to a disturbance nearby. The knights on patrol maintained that they were merely helping civilians and, to avoid raising suspicion, only confiscated the drugs Ahim possessed since there was no evidence of use.

“You never know what might happen. When walking the streets, choose times when there are more people around, and try to finish work early enough to return home while it’s still light. If necessary, I can speak to your workplace.”

“Understood. I’ll inform my workplace myself. Um… how long will this last?”

“I’d like to resolve it before Isaac returns.”

He planned to settle this matter and apologize to Isaac for everything that had happened.

He didn’t expect to be forgiven, nor did he think anything could happen between him and Clara. He just couldn’t turn away from the misdeeds he’d committed to protect his own foolish pride.

“While Isaac is away, if anything happens, I want you to consult me anytime. If you leave a message at the knight station, I’ll come running wherever you are.”

With that, he left the room with Franz.

On the way back, the surroundings were dark with few people around. He realized they had stayed far too long. The soup he’d given her must have gone cold by now. Would she reheat it and eat it?

“Want to grab a bite before heading back?”

When invited, Eivard stopped, and Franz halted his steps as well.

“Franz, I’m sorry.”

Eivard bowed his head. Though it was a sudden action, Franz accepted it without surprise.

“As long as you understand.”

How unpleasant must it have been for Franz to hear his friend and his sister being badmouthed and complained about? As Eivard bowed his head in apology, Franz told him, “Please raise your head.”

“She’s not just cute and pretty, but she’s a good kid too, right? She welcomed her brother’s friend, whom she hadn’t seen in years, with a smile and made him feel no distance at all.”

That was true, but her lack of waRhyss was also concerning.

“She’s the kind of girl you’d understand falling for at first sight. I hope you don’t make her cry.”

“…You’re right. I shouldn’t get too involved.”

“Can you really avoid it?”

Eivard was being tested by Franz regarding his attitude toward her. Before matters of nobility or commoner status, his subordinate was lecturing his superior about the fact that people have hearts.

“I’ll try.”

“Isn’t there the option of trying to accept it?”

“Accept it?”

That was impossible. As a member of the Trulin Marquis family, it wouldn’t be allowed. He was already seen as a failure. How much more would he disgrace the family name before they exploded in anger?

“First of all, why did you have it in for Isaac? No offense, but Isaac totally respects you, you know?”

He knew. Being acknowledged felt like condescension from a man who had it all together, and it made him endlessly irritable.

“Because I’m immature.”

That was the only answer Eivard could give at the moment.

“Hmm. Well, whatever. Then it’s on you, Captain!”

That night, Eivard would come to appreciate the commoner flavors of Franz’s favorite spots.