Chapter 5: Titles
Evelia quietly followed behind Alman, behaving no differently from an ordinary maid, her gaze fixed ahead, simply staying behind her master honestly.
Of course, she took this opportunity to observe the back of the tall Alman walking in front of her. For a moment, Evelia felt so small, not quite sure whether it was her stature being too short next to the tall knight or whether her current state of abandoning everything, even being ordered to obtain information at any cost, made it impossible for her to rise high again; she would probably always remain in the shadows of others.
From the moment they entered the manor for introductions to accompanying Evelia outside, Alman never once put down his sword. Even after removing his coat to leave only a shirt, the almost unadorned black longsword remained at his waist.
If he wanted to stay alive, this was something he could not relax about.
Alman knew well that the Second Prince had long wanted his life. Taking advantage of the move, that guy might shove in all sorts of things; not to mention spies, Alman would prefer to tear the house apart brick by brick to check for hidden items. This outing was not just for buying liquor; he would buy food and other supplies as well because no one knew who the supplier of the food used for tonight’s dinner was or whether anything suspicious might be mixed in.
He wanted to survive, but the one who wanted his life was right behind him.
Evelia remained silent, her golden eyes firmly focused on the man recklessly exposing his back to her. If she had been tasked with assassination instead of gathering intelligence, she would have already found an opportunity to strike.
“Do you want anything?”
Just as Evelia was pondering what that man’s weakness could be, Alman turned around and unexpectedly met her scrutinizing gaze. The moment their eyes met, Evelia instinctively tensed up.
“Nothing.” The more she reacted, the more suspicious it seemed, so Evelia chose to respond to Alman with the same attitude as before.
“You don’t like shopping?”
“We’re here to procure supplies, not to wander around.”
“Isn’t buying just a form of wandering?” Alman chuckled, slowing his pace to walk parallel to Evelia. “I noticed those noble ladies all like desserts; I know of a very famous place. Don’t you want to check it out? I ought to show my gratitude for your help. Buy something you like.”
“I don’t like sweets.”
As an excellent assassin, Evelia was quite particular about her diet. She had never eaten such sweets since childhood, so she had no interest in them now. They also wouldn’t eat too much meat—first, to maintain bodily agility, and second, to avoid attracting attention during stealth missions due to the smell of excessive meat consumption.
“What about accessories? Gems and such?”
“I don’t like those things.”
“That’s rare; there are still people who don’t like treasures.”
“Don’t you dislike them as well?”
When Evelia said this, she glanced at Alman, who wore not a single piece of jewelry. If anyone else were in his position with his wealth, even the most low-key person would wear some adornments to signify their status. But Alman refused to even decorate his sword.
“I’m different; I’m a man. I don’t need those flashy things. Excessive jewelry only appears gaudy.”
“I feel the same way.”
… As if I were not a man.
“Haha, how can you be so worldly-wise at such a young age? You look about twenty or not even twenty yet, at the peak of youth. You should enjoy what you can while you can!”
“There’s no need to waste time on that.”
Alman looked at Evelia, who continued to decline with an expressionless face, somewhat surprised. He thought he could take the opportunity to understand the likes of the maid he might “collaborate with” in the future, but her cold demeanor stifled all his plans.
Since he was quite popular in the palace, many noble ladies surrounded him. So, his understanding of girls was largely that they liked to dress up and enjoy sweets, with plenty engaging in subtle competitions. He thought Evelia might not be like that, but she was a young, beautiful girl; surely she would have at least one of those interests. But to his surprise, Evelia’s indifference seemed innate. She not only showed little warmth towards others, but even to herself, her attitude was one of indifference.
“Ha… don’t you have any hobbies?”
Alman helplessly ran a hand through his hair, sighing deeply.
“None.” Evelia maintained the same attitude as before.
“Then—let me rephrase, is there something you want to do? Life should always have something to look forward to, right?”
—If it’s something I want to do, it’s to seduce you and then find a way to use you to take down the First Prince?
That was indeed the most desirable thing to do at the moment, but she certainly couldn’t say that out loud.
“What I want to do right now is to make you remember my name.”
So Evelia rephrased.
After all, to make him care about her, she had to start with making him remember her.
“…”
Alman paused for a moment, blinking as he looked at Evelia. Seeing her expressionless yet earnest gaze, he burst into laughter as he had before.
“Eve!”
“It’s Evelia, sir.”
“I know, I know, Evelia Kroyer, right?”
“… Ah.”
Evelia had been prepared to argue over her name with Alman for a long time, but to her surprise, Alman accurately stated her name.
—Oh my God, does this guy suddenly become smart just by breathing fresh air?!
Evelia, who usually appeared devoid of emotions, experienced several intense emotional fluctuations within a mere half-day, even feeling an inexplicable sense of accomplishment.
“Let me call you Eve. Now that we are ‘accomplices’ who have run away together, we should have a special title for each other. Only I call you Eve, and hearing those two syllables will signify I’m calling you. Don’t you think it has a sense of camaraderie? From now on, these two words will be a special name for both you and me. What do you think? Sounds great, right?”
Alman smiled and reached out to Evelia, as if about to establish a pact.
Evelia understood that, based on Alman’s character, he wouldn’t force her to accept such an intimate nickname if she rejected it.
It seemed no one had ever addressed her like this—using a special title that only they shared as companions.
Evelia felt inexplicably moved, for the first time in many years, she experienced such complex feelings.
How strange…
No—wait.
Pleasing him was my task.
Evelia cast her gaze down at Alman’s outstretched hand, silently reciting in her heart—everything is for the sake of completing the Second Prince’s mission.
For this, I can disregard everything.
With that thought, she gently grasped Alman’s rough, scarred hand.
“Then from now on—please take care of me, Eve!”
“Yes, please take care of me too, Mr. Alman.”
The two stood facing each other, one expressionless and the other beaming.
Yet both were thinking the same thing.
—So, let’s start by gaining his favor.
