Chapter 68 - The Duke Is Seeing Someone

Chapter 68 – The Duke Is Seeing Someone

Xavier was afraid he would take after his father and break the heart of the woman he loved. He resolved that he would not be like his father, no matter what.

And yet, he was unsure whether the blood he inherited from his father would allow it.

It was better to be a coward. It was better for him to be mocked for not being able to confess his feelings to the woman he loved, even though he was the crown prince of the nation. He didn’t care what people thought about that.

But—he hoped that Maristella would not be hurt under any circumstances. He would confess only when he felt perfectly confident in himself—that is, when he was sure he could keep her from getting hurt, even if the destructive blood of his father ran through his veins.

That was why he hesitated. He did not act on his emotions, as he feared a tragedy that may or may not manifest itself in the future.

However, it was difficult for one to place blame on Xavier. Anyone who knew his background would feel that his worries were valid.

‘I’m so…indecisive.’

He smiled and shook his head. Maristella had asked him to be brave. She had told him it was natural to hurt and be hurt by someone in a relationship. It was not something to avoid.

She also spoke of timing when it came to love. In love, timing was important. If one hesitated in overcoming their fear, then love may not even have a starting chance.

Xavier knew that Maristella was completely right.

‘Can I have courage?’ he asked himself, and the answer came to him quicker than he thought.

There was his anxiety about a tragedy in the future. And then there was his love for her.

If he had to choose one of the two, which one would be worse for him?

Clearly it was the former.

He smiled quietly. His mind felt lighter than before.

‘Her next partner will be me, Claude.’

Not only the next time, but the next time after that, and after that, and so on. It would only be him. Claude would only have today to enjoy the result of Xavier’s hesitation.

Xavier’s earnest gaze turned towards the terrace where the two had disappeared.

“Your Majesty.”

A voice called out to him from behind. When he turned around, he saw Odeletta smiling at him. His face momentarily stiffened, but he managed to school his features.

“Greetings. I’m glad to see the Little Sun of the Empire,” Odeletta said with impeccable politeness.

“Yes, Lady Odeletta.” He was about to ask how she was, but he soon abandoned the idea. He knew that he didn’t have the right to ask such a question. He would be happy if she said she was well, but if her answer to the question was ‘not well’, it was purely because of him. In the end, he decided to save his words.

Odeletta gave him an admiring look. “You look great today. I always had this, but you look good in a dark tailcoat.”

“Thank you.”

There was a lull in the conversation. Xavier had to keep the conversation smooth while not acting too friendly, but it was not easy trying to catch two rabbits at the same time. Quite frankly, it was impossible under the current circumstances. It was better not to talk that much in the first place.

‘This is crazy.’

There was a lengthy pause between them. In truth, he didn’t dislike Odeletta. If he hated her just because she liked him, it would make him a piece of crap. The reason why the current situation was so strained was because he had to continue to be courteous towards her without further hurting her. That was a difficult task.

As he sighed inwardly and looked at Odeletta, a curious detail caught his eye.

‘She looks similar…to Lady Maristella.’

Odeletta was wearing a beautiful pearl-colored dress and silver heels. Of course, that particular color combination wasn’t very unique, so perhaps he was being hypersensitive. Considering the situation and timing, however, he couldn’t stop doubt from nagging at him.

‘No…’

Odeletta broke the awkward silence between them. “Did you see Marie?” she asked casually.

Xavier was somewhat surprised at her comfortable demeanor, but he replied casually as well. “I saw her earlier.”

She gave a nod. “I see. Actually, I’ve been looking for Marie for a while now, but I couldn’t find her.”

“If you’re looking for Lady Maristella, it would be faster to find Duke Escliffe instead,” Xavier said in a dry voice. “His dance partner is Lady Maristella today.”

“Oh, I see. I didn’t know. She didn’t tell me.”

“They might be at the terrace by now. So after a while…”

“You know a lot,” Odeletta noted evenly. “Like you’ve been watching Marie’s every move.”

“…”

It wasn’t an untrue statement, so Xavier didn’t say anything.

Noting his lack of denial, Odeletta bit her lips. A moment later, her expression smoothed out to its original polite look.

“Thank you for your help, Your Highness. As you said, it would be better to check on them after a little while. If it’s just the two of them…they’ll be talking alone.”

The intention in Odeletta’s last words was not lost on Xavier. However, he didn’t care—her words did not make any difference.

He sighed and replied with a soulless voice. “They will.”

“Your Highness,” Odeletta said in a low voice, and he silently turned towards her. She was staring hard at him with an expression that was difficult to read.

“Are you busy right now?”

“…”

He didn’t answer. Odeletta continued to speak.

“Will you dance with me? There is nothing to do while waiting for the two of them.”

“I’m sorry, Lady Odeletta. I can’t,” he answered in a formal tone. No room should be given to her. Not even a crack. An unwavering rejection, an unwavering attitude—That was the way for someone whose heart he could not accept.

“I’m not feeling well. I was just about to take a break,” he said as an excuse.

“I see. How about a conversation—”

“I don’t think I can. I have a lot of work to do. I took some time off because it is Duke Escliffe’s birthday, but I have to return to the palace soon.”

He had no plans to leave, but he decided he should absent himself in order to avoid Odeletta. In fact, he didn’t have much work to do, but Claude wouldn’t let Maristella go today in any case. Xavier would allow him this last chance with her.

Xavier smiled thinly and said his farewell to Odeletta. “Then I’ll be leaving, Lady Odeletta.”

“…”

“Please enjoy yourself.”

He finished speaking, and he walked away with no other reaction. Odeletta was left there to stand alone, feeling torn by a myriad of conflicting emotions.

But there was certainly one emotion she could narrow it down to.

Misery.

Odeletta’s hands trembled. Another emotion flickered across her face.

It was anger.

***

Dorothea was doing surprisingly well on her own. She was naturally very sociable, and was eager to chat with the other young ladies.

“The Crown Prince needs to get married soon.”

The topic of conversation naturally turned towards Xavier, considering that he was the crown prince after all. The future emperor was still unmarried. He wasn’t too old yet, but interest in his marriage prospects inevitably drew attention.

“He has to meet a good person.”

“Hey, are you saying that all the ladies are bad?”

“Not at all. Everyone is beautiful and has a good character.”

“But above all, you should marry someone who truly loves you. That’s true happiness,” a young lady sighed wistfully, and everyone nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. In any case, he has to get married soon and produce an heir. The Imperial line only has one direct heir.”

“There is also Duke Escliffe, but his claim is weaker because he’s from a collateral line.”

When the topic passed over to Claude, Dorothea, who had been watching the conversation silently, suddenly piped up.

“The Duke is seeing someone.”

Everyone’s eyes suddenly turned to Dorothea.