Upon learning Arman had finally returned to the manor from the palace, Evelia set her meticulously crafted seduction strategy into motion.

—Step One of Evelia’s Seduction Strategy Notes: First, become a sweet, adorable maid to steal his heart.

“Master~ Welcome back! ❤️”

“...?”

The moment Arman pushed open his bedroom door, Evelia stood waiting inside. She hadn’t done anything improper—but that heart symbol practically smacked him in the face, freezing him mid-step into a confused “...?”

Even more unsettling: her words dripped with sweetness, yet her expression remained utterly unchanged. Her tone was flat, emotionless. That heart symbol felt like a cold, hard brick of stone thudding against his cheek.

*My face hurts,* Arman thought, rubbing his cheek under her unwavering stare.

He closed the door and sat at the lunch table Evelia had prepared. As master of the manor, his meals were always kept perfectly fresh—even with his delayed return.

“Master, shall we begin eating? ❤️”

Another heart-shaped brick hit his face.

“Eve… what is this…?”

“Why, to assist you with your meal, of course~ ❤️”

Third one.

Oblivious to Arman’s strained expression, Evelia lifted the lid. Familiar nutritious dishes gleamed—but beside them sat a bowl of pitch-black soup.

—Step Two of Evelia’s Seduction Strategy Notes: Be the thoughtful girl.

Knowing Arman suffered stomach issues, she’d sought the venerable head chef’s guidance to brew this remedy. To highlight her handmade effort, she’d placed a heart-shaped medicinal leaf on top—dry, withered, dark gray. Floating in the murky broth that resembled a witch’s cursed potion, it added a… uniquely unsettling touch. The heart even looked slightly crumbled.

Arman recognized the smell instantly. *That* medicine. Ugly, foul-smelling, vile-tasting. It failed utterly on color, aroma, or appeal—yet bizarrely hit all five tastes at once. One spoonful felt like tasting every hardship of life. To him, drinking it was pure torture.

If asked to describe it—even the mighty captain of the Knights Order dreaded this stuff—Arman would be speechless. The flavor clung to his throat; water ruined the efficacy, trapping the grotesque taste. During heavy-medication days, his knights joked their mute, throat-clearing captain “must’ve learned a state secret and got silenced.”

And since he was immune to all toxins anyway, swallowing this useless brew felt doubly pointless. Pure suffering.

“Master ❤️, open up—ah~”

Snapped from memory, Arman saw Evelia holding the spoon. Thick, viscous liquid clung to its edge, stretching downward like something refusing to descend into hell.

—Step Three of Evelia’s Seduction Strategy Notes: The Feeding Play.

Deliver food sweetly to his lips. Fingers slightly raised to showcase slender hands. A calculated bend revealing collarbone, the bow of her maid uniform hinting at soft curves and a whisper of white lace beneath.

“I say, Eve… shouldn’t we eat *before* medicine…?”

Confused by her stiff, almost reluctant performance—sweet words, robotic motions—Arman leaned back awkwardly. That spoonful looked pixel-blur-worthy. Combined with the crumbled black heart in the soup, even a battle-hardened man felt a chill.

“Ahhh~ Master ❤️, open up!”

Evelia held firm. Setup complete. Hand raised. No retreat.

“But, Eve…”

“Ahhh~”

“Eve… don’t be silly, this stuff—”

“Ahhhh~”

“…”

*Is she poisoning me? Impatient already? Good thing I’m toxin-immune. Perfect chance to expose her.*

Arman opened his mouth with the resolve of a man facing execution.

*I knew it. He’s falling for me. Next step: total seduction.*

Evelia tipped the spoon in.

Instantly, his taste buds erupted into brutal war. He jerked to spit it out—Evelia’s palm clamped over his mouth.

“Mmph?!”

“This is for your good, Master. All of it~ ❤️”

*She’s definitely trying to kill me!*

Arman schemed for clues. Evelia, devoted maid, believed bitter medicine was love.

After a grueling struggle, Arman swallowed the bowl. He could’ve sipped slowly—but her forceful feeding left him breathless, voiceless.

“Good boy, Master ❤️” Evelia patted his head, face blank, heart symbol hovering. “Do your best again tomorrow, Master ❤️”

She left, tray in hand. He wouldn’t manage lunch anyway.

Arman sat clutching his mouth, soul nearly departed. Imaginary heart-shaped bricks piled on his chest, suffocating him.

*I’ve left a deep impression.*

Evelia walked the corridor, steps light with progress.

Still… what *exactly* did this taste like?

Curious, she licked the residue on the spoon.

The flavor detonated on her tongue.

Her sole thought for the man who’d swallowed a full bowl:

*Profound respect.*