Chapter 37 Meanwhile, on the other side…
“What? You mean the gentleman from your family became distant after seeing how I dressed up for you?”
While Alman was arguing with his “off-site assistance” about whether or not to apologize to a woman, Evelia took the opportunity of going out to buy flower wrapping paper to visit the clothing store where she had previously bought underwear.
“Yes, that’s exactly how it is, and he is not from my family.”
Evelia’s off-site rescue was that lovely lady in the clothing store, who was as cute as cotton candy. Through a business card, Evelia learned that this girl was named Liliana, but the shop assistant seemed to want Evelia to feel more connected with her, saying she could just call her Anna.
“Um… that shouldn’t be the case…” Anna furrowed her brows, her eyes narrowing into a slit. “So… the gentleman you want to get to know, I remember you said he was a knight, right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.” Evelia nodded. “He is a knight.”
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Evelia did not specify exactly who she was trying to pursue. Alman was the commander of the Royal Knight Order, actively involved in numerous events. Although many nobles did not like him, he was still a well-known man among the socialites. Evelia did not want to say too much in a clothing store primarily focused on women’s fashion to avoid causing trouble.
“Is he… very handsome?”
“Um, yes, very handsome.” Reflecting on the social circles’评价 of him and her own observations, Evelia confidently affirmed Alman’s looks; with just that face, he could live comfortably for a lifetime.
“Then, is his figure good too?”
“Um, quite nice.”
Although Evelia did not know why Anna was asking these questions, she still sincerely provided her answers.
Alman’s appearance was definitely top-notch, both face and physique were impeccable. He was inherently good-looking, and after becoming a knight, his physique was naturally well-trained. There were no flaws to be found in his appearance. Although Evelia had not had the chance to see deeper layers of him yet, she could make educated guesses if she closely observed.
“A handsome knight with a good figure… who is not interested in a great beauty like you and has even distanced himself after seeing your underwear— I must say, the gentleman you want to approach can’t be…!”
“Who?”
Evelia tilted her head in confusion.
“Someone who is only interested in men…!”
When Anna said this, there was a mysterious excitement in her voice, as if she were about to witness something extraordinary.
“…So that’s how it is.”
Evelia suddenly understood.
Thinking about the past rumors regarding Alman’s sexual orientation, Evelia suddenly realized why, despite her many efforts, she had not gained Alman’s favor, and instead, things had gone awry.
But this…
Should she go find the Second Prince to turn herself back? That seemed unlikely…
“Yes, Miss Evelia, look at your appearance; it’s definitely among the best. How could a normal unmarried man resist your charm? It must be because he has problems! The knight you are approaching definitely has issues. I heard that the rate of homosexuals in the military is much higher than in normal society! The knight you encountered— a complete gay!”
“—Achoo!”
Meanwhile, far away in the knight order, Alman sneezed vigorously.
Rubbing his nose, he looked at the two men beside him who had gone from discussing national affairs to how wonderful their wives were. Although both were superficially praising their wives for being beautiful and intelligent, they were actually venting their frustrations. To Alman, their words sounded like veiled displays of affection.
“…”
Alman sat cross-legged with his face resting on his hand on the sofa, looking completely unrefined, while the other two seemingly serious gentlemen were enjoying themselves in the conversation, changing their sitting positions, even switching legs when one got numb. In a different setting, such behavior would surely draw harsh criticism from those old-fashioned types. The way the First Prince was casually reclining on the sofa would undoubtedly drive his etiquette instructor to distraction, but at the knight order, it was his territory; anyone who dared to criticize would just get dragged off to become a training ground dummy.
Carly sat at his desk, sharing experiences about raising daughters. His family was a merchant dynasty. Although their family business had not escalated to the extent of “controlling the national economy,” they were still quite wealthy. Moreover, his wife was also the daughter of a wealthy merchant; the two families together were formidable. There were no exaggerations when saying that their family was one of the richest in the empire, so even if the First Prince exchanged words with Carly, he would not be overly difficult.
Carly’s wife managed their family business at home, ensuring everything was in order while her husband served as the Deputy Commander of the Knight Order.
To outsiders, campaigns inevitably led to casualties, and if anything happened to Alman, Carly might very well assume the role of commander. Therefore, their family had wealth, power, and influence, making it unwise for anyone to try any tricks against them in business dealings.
Ordinary citizens even regarded the two as something to aspire to, with some eager to have an exceptionally talented son to marry their daughter, who was only three years old and born with a silver spoon.
As for the First Prince, while he maintained a calm demeanor during conversations with Carly, when Carly seriously expressed how adorable his daughter was, even Alman noticed the undeniable sparkle of “envy” in the First Prince’s eyes.
“Hah…”
Alman sighed deeply, feeling the atmosphere was completely unsuitable for him, nearly blinded by the gleaming “happiness” radiating from the two of them.
“Alman, what about you?” The First Prince turned his attention to the sighing Alman.
“Ah?”
Yet, he would rather eat dog food alone in a corner than be suddenly pulled into this topic.
“There are hardly any girls who can catch your attention; tell us about it, we can help you strategize.”
“—No, that’s not necessary.” Faced with Carly’s suggestion, Alman quickly shook his head.
He couldn’t possibly tell them Evelia was an enemy spy; that would ruin everything, as he could imagine that his words would lead to her being dragged off to execution in no time.
“Why are you still being shy at nearly 30, Alman? You should be starting a family.”
“…That kind of thing feels so far away.”
Hearing the words “starting a family” come from the First Prince, Alman couldn’t help but give a bitter laugh inside.
Someone like him could never start a family. Family was definitely a weakness and not a joke, just like how he completely refused the First Prince’s title. Alman believed a family would only become a stumbling block for him in his future desire to retire unscathed.
“Don’t you want to marry and have children with that lady you are currently entangled with?”
Carly’s gaze struck Alman like a sharp knife, making the corner of his mouth twitch as he instinctively avoided that look.
“I don’t want to…”
Alman turned his head, looking down at the floor pattern, but his mind was filled with images of Evelia.
“Is that so? What a scoundrel.”
“Haha, not exactly.”
Alman awkwardly curled his legs, resting his arms on his knees, his palm against his forehead, as if trying to escape and curl himself into a ball.
Right now, what I feel for Evelia… is probably just wanting to stabilize her, for the royal family’s future…
—If only I didn’t know she was a spy. If I was deceived, at least I wouldn’t have to feel like this now.
I wonder what Evelia is doing now, is she still angry at me—
“But it’s fine if he’s gay; just turn him straight.”
—Evelia was not angry at all.
“Turn straight…?”
She was merely listening to Anna give her strategies.
Anna looked adorable, blushing and shy whenever she said something, but her statements seemed particularly bold and often provided Evelia with knowledge she found strange.
“Yes! Turn him straight! He’s just a man; think of it as for your own sake, use the ultimate tactics on him! Make him discover your charm and aim for a one-strike victory!”
“…?”
Evelia was at a loss, not understanding what this shop assistant was saying.
“But… if he’s gay, then being too aggressive might backfire; take it slow instead. For example, a casual touch when passing something, encountering him accidentally at a corner, a fortunate peep during changing clothes, or losing something like Cinderella, and then accidentally getting a cut while working—these can all be used! You can adjust your strategy based on his orientation; if he’s on the softer side, be a bit bolder, if he’s more assertive, then be softer!”
“—”
After a long string of suggestions from Anna, Evelia seemed unable to digest all of it. After a long silence, she raised her head, her gaze firmly on Anna, and nodded, saying:
“—I completely understand.”
